Posted on 06/24/2010 8:28:16 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough is an extremely contagious infection which has now been considered an epidemic in California. With a rising number of infections, whooping cough is well on the way to break the 50 year old record which was set in 1958. The last outbreak was five years ago, and claimed 8 lives. Already this year, five infants have died from whooping cough, according to California public health officials.
This infection has come roaring back. The number of cases that are being investigated as or considered whooping cough is already at an unusual 1,510. Officials fear the worst, predicting that this outbreak will take more lives than an outbreak in 1952 which claimed 15 lives. People need to protect themselves. Parents should make sure that their children are current on all shots. Furthermore, all adults should get a booster shot for pertussis as soon as possible. People should contact their county health center for a free shot; at this time California has plenty of shots readily available.
Outbreaks of whooping cough are usually seen every two to five years. Whooping cough is an infection of the respiratory system that is very highly contagious. Symptoms begin that are similar to that of a common cold. You may get a runny nose, fever, a cough, and start sneezing. Then the symptoms progress as the cough develops into a dry, persistent cough. The person infected will have coughing spells lasting for more than a minute. At this time, the person may turn red or even blue in color from coughing so intensely. When the coughing spell is complete, when breathing in, on may notice a whooping sound. The spells of coughing can be rather scary, as it may appear one is gasping for air. Children are usually affected worse than adults, especially those who have not received their complete set of shots for pertussis.
People who notice the above symptoms should be seen by their physician as soon as possible. Cases should be treated promptly to a avoid life threatening situation.
To solve this problem, we need comprehensive immigration reform before we agree to close the border (sarc)
This was on our local TV news twice today and it said 910? cases had been reported but it didn’t say much more then that but we had to ACT NOW!!!
Whooping it up since cinco de mayo, cough.
Here in Texas just in the last couple of weeks, there have been TV ads warning parents to get the adult inoculation so they don’t pass it on to the babies. One thing I’ve found interesting about the ad is the mother is hispanic. We all know the illegals are bringing in all kinds of diseases we had wiped out.
“Outbreaks of whooping cough are usually seen every two to five years.”
Not when i was growing up in South Calif.
They woud line us up every yr in school and give us all a shot. Yr after yr.
My math may be a bit rusty, but I get the impression a 50 year old record would have been set in 1960. So either it's a 52 year old record or maybe the story actually ran in 2008. Or perhaps it's just another totally innumerate "journalist." So which is it?
My wife had dinner with a friend the other night. A couple days later the friend sent an email saying she has whooping cough and was contagious during dinner and to watch for signs.
Years ago working for a moving company spent the day with a guy coughing all day. Moving furniture, packing up boxes, driving in the truck, etc. After we got back to the shop he asked for a ride to the clinic. I said something like “Yeah - that’s a bad cough, you should get that checked out and make sure it’s nothing too serious.” He replied “Oh, it’s Tuberculousis - but I do need to get some more medication.”
If any if the kids weren't up to date they weren't allowed to attend until they had gotten them.
Believe it or not, I think I got the adult version winter before last.
I am 66 years old, and am rarely sick with colds/flu. But this settled right in my larynx, and I literally couldn’t stop coughing. I couldn’t slepp because of it, and I cracked or broke a rib from it.
Finally, my primary doc called in a scrip that total knocked me out. I would wake up, take it, then go back to sleep, and repeat.
I never want to go through that again! If there is a chance that you might not be immune to pertussis, or your immunity has worn off, it would be worth you while to go get a booster shot. I still have rib pain, and it has to be 18 months since I got over it!
Don’t they still do that?
yeah in the 50’s they just gave u the shots, no questions, with or without records, roll ur sleeve up young man.
The gift that keeps on giving!
FReepers? Do schools still ask for shot records? Heck, are shot records even done anymore?
The quack “doctors” and looney celebrities who are telling people that vaccinations are dangerous ought to be really proud right now. I wonder if they have attended any of these kids’ funerals?
” How is it that children who don’t get immunized for personal or religious reasons can still go to public school?”
Uh, because we are the peasants and they are a better class of people than we are. (And yes, I’m serious.)
I visited my pal in the Jewelry District in L.A. a week ago and he got hit by it. His employees were wheezing and sneezing..in the summertime.
Ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.