[kittycat01]

Hi,

Posted here for traffic...

DS1 (almost 3yrs) and I both got a horrific cough (pretty dure mine had the whoop sound during a few of my coughing fits) and awaiting nasal swab results (both given erythromycin anti-b's anyway). I have a newborn DS2, now 3.5eks old who did a little cough today do of course now I'm panicking that he may have it too. Chances are high as i coughed on him a few times, despite trying my best not to. GP wouldn't give him anti-b's unless he had symptoms due to still clearing jaundice and he was worried about overloading his liver.

Just wanted to hear from anyone who's very young baby got whooping cough pre 1st vaccination (DS1 and I are both vaccinated so if we are dealing with it, it's the new strain anyway). What was treatment, how bad did it get? I'm aware of 1 in 200 mortality rate so please try not to scare me too much with negative stories !!

GP said he'll have DS2 hospitalised if he does have it..,need that like a hole in the head as he has already been diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis (vomits up entire feed 50% of time) which will need operating on in a few weeks probably...really wish I hadn't broken that mirror last month..,seriously getting my 7 years of bad luck at the moment !!!

Kitty

[Prickly]

Yes - I had a child who was diagnosed with WC when he was 8 weeks old (so a little older than your child).
He came through it unscathed. I used some alternative treatments to support him through it, and we avoided hospital and antibiotics. I think that being able to avoid the antibiotics was what saved his life.
Anyway - the treatment I chose was not the popular choice around here, although my GP was supportive. I can't tell you how I treated him, as my post will be deleted.
If you are interested, PM me.
Nicole.

[follies]

Please take your child to the ER if any symptoms come up overnight.

[Therese]

Please take your child to the ER if any symptoms come up overnight.

I totally agree. Your baby is so tiny and it is really important you seek medical advice about this.

[soontobegran]

OP, if your baby starts couging or exhibiting other signs of being unwell take him straight to the ER.
There are no remedies for WC which do not require conventional medical treatment, please do not use alternative methods.

[ubermum]

Not mine, but my best friends baby had WC at 7 weeks old. She was in hospital for 3 days and then they were isolated at home for some more time. She made it through unscathed, thankfully, but had a few touch and go episodes in hospital.
Follow STBG's advice.

[sparkler]

I agree if he starts developing symptoms of WC take him straight to the ER (at a tertiary children's hospital if you have one near you), also if you are breastfeeding keep going with that so he can get your antibodies that way.

[ZombieMum]

If I suspected my newborn baby had whooping cough, I'd be heading up to ED asap.

I hope it isn't, and that it's just a cough, but please don't delay getting treatment.

[kittycat01]

My problem is that GP wasn't worried because we weren't coughing our guts up in front of him. Thinks I'm being over the top but agreed to test anyway.

If he has a coughing fit, I will take him to emergency but, given we haven't got any confirmation that DS1 and I do in fact have whooping cough, are they likely to admit him?

ETA. Would be taking him to Sydney children's as he's already been there with his other medical condition. They are aware that I may have whooping cough and had us in isolation (though some nurses were taking it more seriously than others with wearing masks entering room etc)


This post has been edited by kittycat01: 02/12/2012, 08:09 PM

[follies]

My problem is that GP wasn't worried because we weren't coughing our guts up in front of him. Thinks I'm being over the top but agreed to test anyway.

If he has a coughing fit, I will take him to emergency but, given we haven't got any confirmation that DS1 and I do in fact have whooping cough, are they likely to admit him?

If there are symptoms, yes. However currently you have none. Be cautious but not pessimistic.