Whooping cough cases on the rise in Sumter County

[Villages PL]

This article was in the Daily Sun a few days ago. When I called my doctor's office I was told they didn't have the DTP (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine. They told me to call my HMO. The HMO said I could get it with a prescription from my doctor but would have to pay a $35 co-payment. When I called the office back the next day they said they had the vaccine and there would be no co-payment. So, after that little mix-up, I got the shot this morning.

The shot is also available at Sumter County Health Department for less than $50. Their number: (352)-569-3121 to set up an appointment.

Adults are only supposed to get revaccinated once.

The nurse told me that there's already a problem with Whooping cough in The Villages. And I learned from a book by Dr. Oz that the cough can last for several months and can sometimes result in broken ribs.

[fgrider]

You mentioned in your post the combination of Deptheria, Tetanus & Pertusis does that mean that if I have had a Tetanus shot that I am protected from getting the Whooping cough or is that a different type of injection.

[Villages PL]

You mentioned in your post the combination of Deptheria, Tetanus & Pertusis does that mean that if I have had a Tetanus shot that I am protected from getting the Whooping cough or is that a different type of injection.

I don't know why they are combining three shots in one except that it might be more cost effective to do so. The one that protects against Whooping cough is the Pertusis vaccine.

I think it's okay to get the Tetanus vaccine as long as you haven't had one for a certain period of time. I think she said one year, but ask your doctor to be sure.

[ilovetv]

This from the CDC explains the booster:

"The childhood vaccine is called DTaP. The whooping cough booster vaccine for adolescents and adults is called Tdap. Both protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria."

More info on this:

Vaccines: VPD-VAC/Pertussis/main page (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/#vacc)

[zcaveman]

I would think that if this was a real problem there would be bulletins, calls from doctors, etc.

Perhaps the OP is trying to incite us to something not necsssary.

Z

[Villages PL]

I would think that if this was a real problem there would be bulletins, calls from doctors, etc.

Perhaps the OP is trying to incite us to something not necsssary.

Z

I simply responded to a front page article in the Daily Sun. The vaccine is recommended by the Sumter County Health Department.

[memason]

Not sure if it's a problem in The Villages or not, but I had whooping cough about 5 years ago. No idea where I got it ??? But, there was quite a bit of it going around, in the Chicago area, at the time

Believe me, it is NO fun! You cough until you're ready to pass out from not being able to catch your breathe. The first time it happens, it's pretty scary.

If you can get the vaccine for $50, I say, get it.

Now, I need to find out if I'm immune, since I recently had it :cryin2:

I better go talk to Mr. Google....

[ilovetv]

Memason is right. Whooping cough is not something to pooh-pooh.

See county health department:

Immunization Services - Sumter County Health Department (http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdSumter/immunization_services.htm)

[NotGolfer]

I know someone whose just gotten over this....they said it wasn't fun and they still get short of breath!

I read somewhere (perhaps online) that we all need just one booster! I'm going to look into it!

As for Tetnus shots....we all should get one every 10 years *unless* you get a injury from stepping on glass (outside), a nail or anything that would be a 'dirty' wound.....then you should be re-innoculated!

[fwpc3]

In many instances tetanus shots also protect against diphtheria.These are referred to as dT. This helps to maintain diphtheria protection in the general community and as a result cases of diphtheria are virtually unheard of in the US. In a likewise fashion these immunizations are now available as Tdap, adding a pertussis component to the vaccine. The hope is to maintain pertussis(whooping cough) protection levels in the community in general. Protection gained from the childhood series of immunizations had been shown to diminish over time. It can be a serious illness in infants but adults tend to get a prolonged, stubborn cough which can be severe. The translation of the Chinese word for pertussis is "the 100 day cough". Adults over 65 are advised to get one dose of Tdap especially if you have contact with children under 12 months of age. Here is link for more information: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-td-tdap.pdf

[Schaumburger]

Not sure if it's a problem in The Villages or not, but I had whooping cough about 5 years ago. No idea where I got it ??? But, there was quite a bit of it going around, in the Chicago area, at the time

Believe me, it is NO fun! You cough until you're ready to pass out from not being able to catch your breathe. The first time it happens, it's pretty scary.

If you can get the vaccine for $50, I say, get it.

Now, I need to find out if I'm immune, since I recently had it :cryin2:

I better go talk to Mr. Google....

The Chicago area has had several outbreaks of whooping cough in the past few years. But the Chicago news media always talked about school age (elementary and high school) kids getting it. I had no idea adults could get whooping cough. I'm sure I haven't been vaccinated for whooping cough since the 1960's.

[BarryRX]

You mentioned in your post the combination of Deptheria, Tetanus & Pertusis does that mean that if I have had a Tetanus shot that I am protected from getting the Whooping cough or is that a different type of injection.
Of you've only had a tetanus shot, you have not received the Pertussis shot.

[BritParrothead]

We are having the same problems here in England. A few small babies have died recently, they were too young for the vaccine. Now doctors are advising expectant mums to be vacccinated as this will protect the unborn babe.
Quite scary!