T
he California Department of Public Health says that the
very contagious disease whooping cough (pertussis) is at
epidemic levels in California.
PERTUSSIS SYMPTOMS
According ValleyCare pediatrician Johnette Leikam, MD, pertussis
can cause serious illness in infants, children and adults. “It usually
starts like a cold, with runny nose or congestion, sneezing and
maybe even a mild cough or fever. After one or two weeks, severe
coughing begins. Whooping cough gets
its name because infants and children
will cough violently over and over until
the air is gone from their lungs and
they’re forced to inhale with a loud
‘whooping’ sound. Small infants may not
have the classical ‘whooping’ cough but
more of a spasm and can’t seem to catch
their breath. It is most severe for babies
and can be deadly, especially in infants.”
PREVENTION
Vaccination is the best way to prevent
pertussis. In the U.S., the recommended
vaccine for children is called DTaP, a safe
and e ective combination vaccine that
protects children against three diseases:
diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. For
maximum protection, children need
ve DTaP shots. The rst three shots are
given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age; the
fourth shot between 15 and 18 months;
and a fth shot is given when a child
enters school, at 4 to 6 years of age.
Protection from the childhood
vaccine fades over time. Parents, family
members and caregivers of children
should receive a booster shot (called
Tdap) even if they were completely
vaccinated as children. Getting
vaccinated with Tdap is especially
important for families and caregivers of
new infants.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Certain circumstances might
prevent a person from getting the
vaccine. If your child falls into any
of the groups below, talk to your
doctor to see if the vaccine is still
recommended:
w
Infants under 6 months old
w
Anyone who’s ever had a severe
reaction to a u vaccination
w
Anyone with Guillain-Barré
syndrome (a rare condition that
a ects the immune system and
nerves)
EGGALLERGY AND FLU SHOTS
In the past, it was recommended
that anyone with an egg allergy
talk to a doctor about whether
receiving the u vaccine was safe
because it is grown inside eggs.
But health experts now say that
the amount of egg allergen in the
vaccine is so tiny that it’s safe even
for kids with a severe egg allergy.
Still, a child with an egg allergy should
get the u shot in a doctor’s o ce,
not at a supermarket, drugstore or
other venue. Children with severe egg
allergy may need to have the injection
administered in an allergist’s o ce.
WHEN SHOULD KIDS
GETVACCINATED?
Flu season runs from October to May. It’s
best to get a u shot early in the season,
as it gives the body a chance to build
up immunity to, or protection from,
the u. But getting the shot later in the
season is still better than not getting the
vaccine at all.
If your child is sick and has a fever, talk
to your doctor about rescheduling the
u shot.
Whooping Cough
Epidemic
Women who
deliver at
ValleyCare and
were not previously
vaccinated get
one dose of Tdap
postpartum
before leaving the
hospital. ValleyCare’s
Occupational
Health Services
o ers new dads and
adult caregivers of
young children the
vaccine. Please call
for an appointment:
925 416 3562
.
ValleyCare.com/maternity
