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What Are The Symptoms Of Whooping Cough?

Posted on Thu, 7 May 2015

Question: I have a newborn son. I went to an OBGYN appointment yesterday and there was someone sitting near me in the waiting room with a persistent hacking cough. My son wasn't with me. I don't know of any cases of whooping cough in the area, but I am extremely paranoid about it. I know the incubation period is typically 7-10 days. I was around my son all night and this morning. This afternoon, I was put on an antibiotic for a sore throat that I'd had for the past few days (before coming into contact with anyone coughing). My question is -- is whooping cough/pertussis contagious during the incubation period just in case that woman that I was around did have pertussis? Could I have given it to my son just by being near him last night and this morning? Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, its unlikely for pertussis to have been contracted by your baby

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Based on your hypothesis. No, Pertussis could not have been transmitted in the incubation period to your baby as it requires active disease for shedding across to the other person.

Prevention through immunization is the best defense against pertussis. Recommendations for vaccination are :

• DTaP vaccine: at ages of 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 months and at age 4-6 years

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Thank you for hour answer.
I do have a follow up question.

I received the TDap vaccine while pregnant. And now I am on zitromax for an irritated and sore throat Ive had for a few days. I've also read that this antibiotic can be used to prevent pertussis in those that were exposed to it. Is this true?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, it can limit the disease from spreading and is used prophylactically

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Hope you have been feeling much better.

Antibiotics like zitromax if given during the catarrhal phase can ameliorate the disease. Once the cough is established, the course of the illness is not affected much but macrolides like azithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin are still used to limit the spread of disease and be on the safe side.

Taking into consideration that you have been vaccinated, I would say again that its unlikely to be pertussis.

Please let me know if you have any other query.

Regarding follow up on your recovery and any other medical query , you may contact me directly in the future via the link , below.

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Thanks.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E