Pertussis

Facts About Whooping Cough
Health and Fitness

What Do You Know About Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough may sound like a defunct illness from many generations ago, but California is currently facing a statewide epidemic with more than 1,300 confirmed cases since last month.
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Whooping cough may sound like a defunct illness from many generations ago, but California is currently facing a statewide epidemic with more than 1,300 confirmed cases since last month. The highly contagious ailment has claimed the lives of five tots to date and state officials have begun a media campaign to educate parents about vaccination programs. Take the quiz to see how much you know about whooping cough.

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Pertussis Shots
Health and Fitness

babysugar Diaries: Pertussis For Mommies and Daddies, Too

On top of regular exams and doctor's appointments I have scheduled, I made it a point to get my flu shot last week to help prevent my unborn child and I from getting knocked out with the nasty illness.
by babysugar

On top of regular exams and doctor's appointments I have scheduled, I made it a point to get my flu shot last week to help prevent my unborn child and I from getting knocked out with the nasty illness. Before she gave it to me, my OB/GYN also told me that I will need a Dtap (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine soon after my delivery.

Although children are often vaccinated with the Dtap vaccine at two, four and six months of age, the shots may not take effect until the child has received one or two of them. Parents who contract pertussis, better known as the whooping cough, may not suffer too badly from it but can easily pass it onto their newborn who cannot fight it with the same adult strength. For that reason, doctors recommend both parents get the vaccine. So guess who's off to their doctor next week? You guessed it — good old hubby.
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