pertussis cases, ugh

frenchy816 · June 2014

In all my years as a teacher we never have had more than 1 case of pertussis (whooping cough). This year, as of today, we have had 6 confirmed cases and there are still 2 weeks of school left.

And, in all of this I have discovered that my DTap has worn off, because apparently you're supposed to get a booster (why my midwife didn't tell me this when I updated my MMR a few years ago IDK). Now I'm paranoid. I called my midwife last week after the 2nd case was confirmed (the first was pre-pregnancy) and they said that basically they can't do anything and to call if I start to cough. Well, the teacher I share a room with in the afternoon might have it. He's going in to get tested tomorrow.

At least it's not one of the really bad diseases. However, I will be on edge until the end of the school year. [-( At least it is only 2 weeks.

MaineMama · June 2014

Do you teach for my school district?! Lol, we are dealing with quite the outbreak of pertussis here too. My OB gives a DTaP booster every pregnancy, no matter when your last shot was. That's how bad it is around here. So I had a shot last summer, and I'll be getting another one this fall. Joy of joys :-S

frenchy816 · June 2014

MaineMama said:

Do you teach for my school district?! Lol, we are dealing with quite the outbreak of pertussis here too. My OB gives a DTaP booster every pregnancy, no matter when your last shot was. That's how bad it is around here. So I had a shot last summer, and I'll be getting another one this fall. Joy of joys :-S

I might, it's been crazy this year!

I'll be getting the DTaP, but apparently it's too early so they can't do anything yet because it won't do anything for the baby this early or something. They just told me to watch for a cough, but of course I'm paranoid now. It doesn't help that they notified us of 4 cases today.

frenchy816 · June 2014

gradschoolmom1234 said:

Annnnd, this is why I have a vaccination soap box. I hate that you even have to worry about this! I recently started making up excuses so I wouldn't have to babysit anymore for a friend who doesn't vaccinate her kids - it just isn't worth the risk to me, but as a school teacher, you have no choice but to be exposed, it's so unbelievably stupid and selfish for other parents to put you at risk in any way like that.

I totally agree about the importance of vaccinations. I'm always up on my shots too, I can't believe that I didn't know the DTaP needed a booster otherwise I would have gotten it like 3 yrs ago. I did my MMR for the same reason before we even started TTC.

I'm really annoyed at these parents too. There are 2 weeks left, I should be more worried about exams and not puking in school than silly pertussis. It doesn't help that one of the cases was in my classroom with a different teacher earlier in the day....really paranoid now!

Hazel622 · June 2014

gradschoolmom1234 said:

Annnnd, this is why I have a vaccination soap box. I hate that you even have to worry about this! I recently started making up excuses so I wouldn't have to babysit anymore for a friend who doesn't vaccinate her kids - it just isn't worth the risk to me, but as a school teacher, you have no choice but to be exposed, it's so unbelievably stupid and selfish for other parents to put you at risk in any way like that.

My niece's mother refuses to vaccinate my niece. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when this baby comes. Maybe it's an over reaction but I'm seriously considering not letting my niece see the baby until the baby is vaccinated. The thought of that makes me so sad.

Belle3184 · June 2014

This scares the shit out of me. I teach at a large public high school and I'm exposed to no telling what. I get so fired up about people not vaccinating. This is the one area I turn into a judgey bitch about. Then, I wonder how it will be when DD starts K. All these diseases we have fought hard to get rid of will be back with a vengeance.

BdblZ · June 2014

Belle3184 said:

This scares the shit out of me. I teach at a large public high school and I'm exposed to no telling what. I get so fired up about people not vaccinating. This is the one area I turn into a judgey bitch about. Then, I wonder how it will be when DD starts K. All these diseases we have fought hard to get rid of will be back with a vengeance.

This is my fear too! I just can't wrap my head around the logic of the anti-vaccinators.

caden1206 · June 2014

This is so scary. When i was going through school I never heard of anyone having pertussis or any other vaccine preventable disease. Now these outbreaks are everywhere when my kids are in school. We are going backwards not forwards. I hope everyone stays safe.

rshamos · June 2014

Not to freak everyone out, but it has been shown that pertussis can cause deafness to an unborn infant if contracted in utero. I think it's rare, but be assertive that you do no want to be around unvaccinated children. It's not worth it, IMO.

path75 · June 2014

My ob's said everyone who is in contact with the baby the first six months has to have had a tap in the last five years. Otherwise it puts the baby at risk. I am a little uneasy how to ask my family members to get vaccinated.

MaineMama · June 2014

rshamos said:

Not to freak everyone out, but it has been shown that pertussis can cause deafness to an unborn infant if contracted in utero. I think it's rare, but be assertive that you do no want to be around unvaccinated children. It's not worth it, IMO.

My sister got pertussis (she had an active vaccination, but she still contracted it) while in her second trimester with my nephew, and this was an active concern for them. Thankfully he is fine, and all his hearing checks have remained "normal"

frenchy816 · June 2014

rshamos said:

Not to freak everyone out, but it has been shown that pertussis can cause deafness to an unborn infant if contracted in utero. I think it's rare, but be assertive that you do no want to be around unvaccinated children. It's not worth it, IMO.

Well, that makes me feel good. I can't exactly avoid it for the next 2 weeks. :-/

frenchy816 · June 2014

So now I'm really freaked out! Trust my midwife, right?

MaineMama · June 2014

frenchy816 said:

So now I'm really freaked out! Trust my midwife, right?

Trust your midwife, and use your purell

I spent a week with my sister when she was first starting her pertussis, and I was also pregnant, I did not get sick. We shared food and everything. I'll be thinking of you, and I'll make voodoo dolls of all those little germ factories you teach.

AllTheTeaInChina · June 2014

MaineMama said:
Do you teach for my school district?! Lol, we are dealing with quite the outbreak of pertussis here too. My OB gives a DTaP booster every pregnancy, no matter when your last shot was. That's how bad it is around here. So I had a shot last summer, and I'll be getting another one this fall. Joy of joys :-S

I saw my OB today. She said the new CDC recommendation is to vaccinate all pregnant women between 26-28 weeks. The antibodies cross the placenta and the hope is to offer some protection until the baby gets the first round at 2 months.

amedbery · June 2014

Yeah, I got it a few of years - I never realized I needed a booster. It was the shits. I'm going to speak with my doctor about it at my 12 week visit next week - I'm glad you posted this because it's a good reminder to make sure the fam is vaccinated. I'm glad everyone here seems to be on the same page re:vaccinations. Most everyone in my family is a doctor or nurse and it drives them insane. I'm glad I'm not the only one that wants to slap the shit out of assholes who put everyone at risk because of the professional medical advice of the chick from Singled Out.

frenchy816 · June 2014

From what I have learned in the last week, we need the booster every 10 years. We're too early for the DTaP right now, which is why my midwife won't give it to me yet. Apparently it won't do anything for the baby now so it's not worth it. I'll just monitor my health, pray nothing happens, and wish I could kick some butt for these parents who won't vax their kids.

ETA: Stuck in the quote box....ahhhh!

caden1206 · June 2014

Maybe wear a mask? I know that might ridiculous, but might be worth it.

amedbery · June 2014

One little piece of advice I can say is to avoid the kids coughing AND the ones with red or bloodshot eyes. When I got a break from coughing, you could tell something was up if you paid attention to the broken blood vessels in my eyes and hoarse voice. That's the good thing about pertussis - it's not something your kids will have long without you knowing it.

rshamos · June 2014

frenchy816 said:

rshamos said:

Not to freak everyone out, but it has been shown that pertussis can cause deafness to an unborn infant if contracted in utero. I think it's rare, but be assertive that you do no want to be around unvaccinated children. It's not worth it, IMO.

Well, that makes me feel good. I can't exactly avoid it for the next 2 weeks. :-/

I didn't want to scare you, I just thought you should know. Don't be afraid to tell people to keep their petri dish children away from you! Like was said before, look out for symptoms and keep Purell with you. All will be good.

frenchy816 · June 2014

rshamos said:

frenchy816 said:

rshamos said:

Not to freak everyone out, but it has been shown that pertussis can cause deafness to an unborn infant if contracted in utero. I think it's rare, but be assertive that you do no want to be around unvaccinated children. It's not worth it, IMO.

Well, that makes me feel good. I can't exactly avoid it for the next 2 weeks. :-/

I didn't want to scare you, I just thought you should know. Don't be afraid to tell people to keep their petri dish children away from you! Like was said before, look out for symptoms and keep Purell with you. All will be good.

Thanks! I was already freaked out a little, but had no idea about the effects of it on unborn babies I plan to purell like crazy for the last 2 weeks.

Belle3184 · June 2014

caden1206 said:
Maybe wear a mask? I know that might ridiculous, but might be worth it.

At the very least, try your best to stay out of peoples' faces. I keep my distance as best I can during flu season even though it's hard because kids think they have to be in your face to have a conversation. It might help some though.

Hazel622 · June 2014

@summersunshine916 @kategee @Ainslie325 @gradschoolmom321 Thank you guys for your concern! It makes me so sad to begin with that my niece is not being vaccinated and it makes me angry that my LO won't be able to be around her. She is only 3 so I'm pretty sure she will not understand why she is not able to meet LO but she will be able to facetime with us. I honestly never thought of the danger to my baby because of my pregnant self being around a unvaccinated kid (my DTap is up to date as I got a booster before I went to Africa last summer)-- I was just thinking it would be a concern once the baby is born (even though I plan to BF... it's still a concern).

(

OP I'm so sorry that this is going around your school and that you are forced to worry. At least it will be summer soon!

irishtriplets · June 2014

My mom has moaned and groaned about getting herself vaccinated but I've laid down the law. You want to see this baby and spend time with it when it's born, during the height of flu season? You must be vaccinated first. Period. Ha, she's going at 10:00 a.m. today. It's one thing to have someone see baby once but someone on a regular basis? I am all for parents deciding what they deem best for their family but what about when it could potentially hurt someone else's kid???? I feel for you. I'll be thinking of you and hoping all is well.

AllTheTeaInChina · June 2014

MJLovey said:

I might be a total dick but I've already td DH that I plan on informing in-laws and my own parents that unless they have proof of current vaccinations...no baby visitation for them for 6 months. I am not going through 9 months of pregnancy, L&D, to put my baby at risk over possibly hurt feelings. I have to ask for proof bc unfortunately my in-laws have lied in the past to get their way on many things otherwise I would take their word for it.

I don't think you are a dick, you are protecting your child.

AllTheTeaInChina · June 2014

Ainslie325 said:

gradschoolmom1234 said:

Annnnd, this is why I have a vaccination soap box. I hate that you even have to worry about this! I recently started making up excuses so I wouldn't have to babysit anymore for a friend who doesn't vaccinate her kids - it just isn't worth the risk to me, but as a school teacher, you have no choice but to be exposed, it's so unbelievably stupid and selfish for other parents to put you at risk in any way like that.

My niece's mother refuses to vaccinate my niece. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when this baby comes. Maybe it's an over reaction but I'm seriously considering not letting my niece see the baby until the baby is vaccinated. The thought of that makes me so sad.
I am bfing but still the risk is there. BFing offers immunity if you are BFing but if you arent then there is not much immunity.
I know breast milk is the magical antibody juice, but please don't confuse this immune system support with "immunity" against things like pertussis and measles. I'm glad you'll still be taking precautions, but this is a potentially dangerous statement if taken literally.

I have a cousin who doesn't vaccinate her kids, she believes in "natural immunity." She thinks BF and playing in dirt will protect them.
:-q

krystrist2014 · June 2014

gradschoolmom1234 said:

Annnnd, this is why I have a vaccination soap box. I hate that you even have to worry about this! I recently started making up excuses so I wouldn't have to babysit anymore for a friend who doesn't vaccinate her kids - it just isn't worth the risk to me, but as a school teacher, you have no choice but to be exposed, it's so unbelievably stupid and selfish for other parents to put you at risk in any way like that.

This! I am constantly on the same soap box! Couldn't agree with you more! And I don't blame you for not wanting to babysit unvaccinated kids.

caden1206 · June 2014

AllTheTeaInChina said:

Ainslie325 said:

summersunshine916 said:

Hazel622 said:

gradschoolmom1234 said:

Annnnd, this is why I have a vaccination soap box. I hate that you even have to worry about this! I recently started making up excuses so I wouldn't have to babysit anymore for a friend who doesn't vaccinate her kids - it just isn't worth the risk to me, but as a school teacher, you have no choice but to be exposed, it's so unbelievably stupid and selfish for other parents to put you at risk in any way like that.

My niece's mother refuses to vaccinate my niece. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when this baby comes. Maybe it's an over reaction but I'm seriously considering not letting my niece see the baby until the baby is vaccinated. The thought of that makes me so sad.
I am bfing but still the risk is there. BFing offers immunity if you are BFing but if you arent then there is not much immunity.
I know breast milk is the magical antibody juice, but please don't confuse this immune system support with "immunity" against things like pertussis and measles. I'm glad you'll still be taking precautions, but this is a potentially dangerous statement if taken literally.

I have a cousin who doesn't vaccinate her kids, she believes in "natural immunity." She thinks BF and playing in dirt will protect them.
:-q

Not to be a complete dick, but your cousin is either ignorant or stupid. Obviously, she doesn't understand how devastating these disease can be.

AllTheTeaInChina · June 2014

caden1206 said:

Ainslie325 said:

gradschoolmom1234 said:

I have a cousin who doesn't vaccinate her kids, she believes in "natural immunity." She thinks BF and playing in dirt will protect them.
:-q
Not to be a complete dick, but your cousin is either ignorant or stupid. Obviously, she doesn't understand how devastating these disease can be.

Oh, I agree with you. She believes in essential oils and healing crystals, put her kids on gluten-free diets because gluten is evil, etc. She's a nut. I don't have Facebook but hear about her crap through other family. Luckily I don't see her more than a couple times a year.

ColeyCannoli · June 2014

caden1206 said:

Maybe wear a mask? I know that might ridiculous, but might be worth it.

This is one reason I liked living in Japan. The moment some germ was reported, everyone (including the kids) pulled out the face masks. I'd go to the store and put one on. It might make you feel silly, but it's so much better than being sick. Course it will make lectures a bit more difficult...

edit: cause the quote feature hates me...

caden1206 · June 2014

ColeyCannoli said:

caden1206 said:

Maybe wear a mask? I know that might ridiculous, but might be worth it.

This is one reason I liked living in Japan. The moment some germ was reported, everyone (including the kids) pulled out the face masks. I'd go to the store and put one on. It might make you feel silly, but it's so much better than being sick. Course it will make lectures a bit more difficult...

edit: cause the quote feature hates me...

Fortunately, I work in a hospital and can.wear masks all day long without people questioning me. I wish it was more acceptable and people didn't stare and ask questions in every day life.

Hazel622 · June 2014

AllTheTeaInChina said:

caden1206 said:

Ainslie325 said:

gradschoolmom1234 said:

I have a cousin who doesn't vaccinate her kids, she believes in "natural immunity." She thinks BF and playing in dirt will protect them.
:-q
Not to be a complete dick, but your cousin is either ignorant or stupid. Obviously, she doesn't understand how devastating these disease can be.

Oh, I agree with you. She believes in essential oils and healing crystals, put her kids on gluten-free diets because gluten is evil, etc. She's a nut. I don't have Facebook but hear about her crap through other family. Luckily I don't see her more than a couple times a year.

Is your cousin my niece's mother...?

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