was doctor to quick to suspecting whooping cough???

[Frangipani]

I took my DS1 to the doctors last night. He has had a nasty cough, which ends up making him vomit (we've had 3 incidents to this extent since 1am yesterday, and some close calls in between). DS1 is not usually one to vomit - i can only think of 2 times in his almost 3 years. DS1 does not have a temperature, is still eating ok (he is not always the best eater anyway) and still has his 3 year old energy . The only thing that is concerning me is this cough, I can never describe coughs and of course he didn't need to cough while we were in the doctors room (but was coughing all around the waiting room - before and after....grr...ain't that always the way). But I think it is more of a chesty cough as I had said to the doctor (but still told him I wasn't sure as I can never diagnois coughs properly). My DH had suspected tonsilitis after a cough and vomit when he'd woken from a day sleep - so that is why I had taken him down to the doctors - as DS1 has had tonsilitis once or twice before - but throat was clear. His glands were a little up though.

So the doctor said from the description and looking at him (and eliminating everything else) that it could be whooping cough...even though he has had his immunisations. He said that it is still common that we/they can still get it. He has given us a referral to get a swab done (will organise today...as they were closed last night after doctors) and we will get the results on Friday. He gave us some antibotics to treat if it were whooping cough - and said even if it is not whooping cough the medicine will still help whatever virus it could be....so won't do no harm.

I really don't understand how the doctor was so quick to suspect it could be whooping cough - he has had his immunisations (though I know I have read - went googling of course that they can still get it even if immunised). I just don't know how the doctor had enough symptoms to suspect it and I couldn't help wonder if he some kinda kick back for prescribing these antibiotics and referring us to pathology for a swab (which will probably come with a fee). Of course I will take DS1 for the swab this morning and keep him home from child care and wait for the results to come in on Friday, but it will be interesting to see if it turns out to be or not to be whooping cough.

Has anyone else had any experience like this or with whooping cough? Was your child immunised?

Thanks in advance for reading and your advise.

[LionsandBears]

Sounds to me like a proactive doctor whose decided it's better to be safe than sorry. You may want to wait until the swab results come back before starting ABs. If it is WC, it's best to get it early and no, immunisation does not provide 100% protection.

I hope it's just a cold and he's better soon.

[Mildez]

My 8weeks old DD had a PCR yesterday for whooping cough. We are waiting the results but ab's were not prescribed. The Dr said if she gets worse to take her straight to the hospital.

My DD4 had whooping cough. She had a mild cough for weeks and I raced her to emergency one night when she coughed so much she vomited then aspirated on it. Of course by the time we got to the ED she was fine but because I knew the paed they did a PCR and the results were positive for whooping cough. They couldn't believe it. She said the whole time she was only doing it to be safe to be safe and she didn't suspect it. My DD was fully immunised.

I think because there is such an epidemic at the moment and because its so contageous (?spelling) the Drs are been cautious with anyone with a cough and testing them. They told me with my little DD they start treatment and then wait for the swab results (which may or may not be positive for whooping cough) My 8weeks old DD wasn't started on AB's due to her age but were told if things get worse to go straight to the hospital.

[Heaven]

Who knows but he probably just thought even if there's a slight chance it is it's better to know and get it treated asap!

[Trillian]

If it has been going around then he may have had reason to suspect that is what it was. But it's one of those things where you do have to test for it to rule it out. FWIW, several years ago DD2 was dreadfully sick with this cough/cold that would make her vomit after a coughing session and I took her to the Dr when it wasn't clearing within what I thought was a normal period of time for a bad cold and starting to think it may have been WC because of the vomiting. It turns out it was actually pneumonia. It took about 6weeks to clear and 8 weeks before she was herself again.

[Mildez]

Everyone I've spoken to thats child has had whooping cough has been immunised.

[Mum2Romone]

I was told the same thing for DS with a chesty cough.. He didnt have the test done though as it went away... i had the swab after coughing a horrible cough for 4 months and had it.... so the dr thought I could have given him a milder case as he was imunnised too....

all gone though, shame it can hurt little babies so much. I know I felt like i was drowning in my chest for months... BTW i had it pregnant too

[megs]

I had Whooping Cough when I was 17 and I was immunised. Orginially I went to the Dr with this bad cough and he just said it was the back of my nose dripping onto my throat causing me to cough. I highly doubted this as I'm not someone who is prone to coughs etc.

Anyway about 2 months went past and by this stage my younger brother (11) also immunised had the cough. He went to the Dr, by this stage there was a bit more in the media about Whooping Cough being around, he tested my brother and then of course decided to test me. And I had WC, had had it for around 2 months, if I wasn't immunised I would have obviously been a lot sicker than what I was.

So in short I think for you DS, maybe being a bit more precausious might be a good thing, especially given his age. Hopefully though it is nothing more than a virus.

[Taurean]

Both DD and I were sent off for whooping cough tests just two weeks ago despite being immunised. You can still catch it although you're immunised and if you do, the symptoms are milder, especially the cough, than for those who aren't immunised.

Thankfully our results were clear but I'm so glad we had the tests to rule it out - didn't hurt us one bit and I wouldn't want to stuff around with WC. My friend's 4yo DD was recently diagnosed with WC after having a persistent cough which was worse in the evening. Her daughter had been immunised, said she felt fine and had even been going to school but the doctor wanted to test her to be sure and yep, it was WC.

I'd say trust you GP on this one and hope they're wrong. There is a lot of it going around (Aus wide) according to my GP.

Good luck

[blessedatlast]

I think it may be going aroundthere seems to be a few people on BB that have had it or had the test. I hope it's not whooping cough. I hope he is ok. Sorry for terrible punctuation I'm on my phone in class lol. Sending get well vibes to your little man.

[Jellyfish]

I think I'd rather over cautious than under cautious when it comes to health. Vaccination does not mean you are immune to getting the disease, it promotes antibodies which can help to prevent the disease or fight it in the event you are exposed.

[onthefly]

Well, it's going around, a lot of vax'd kids get it and those are the early symptoms, so it makes sense to swab for it. Definitely better safe than sorry. Plus the antibiotics only work if they start them in the early stage of the illness (before the 'cough').

[Frangipani]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I agree- i'd much rather be cautious and have him tested then not. We don't go to the doctors very often- so find these kind of things a new experience. It probably doesn't help that i've never seen that doctor before- actually because we go to the doctors so few we find it hard to get a regular doctor- they either away, on leave or don't work there anymore- so its hard to build that trust- you know. But of course i'd still trust the doctor regardless- that is his job.

I also didn't realise it was an illness currently hanging around...i'm so out of the loop from the news at the moment and hadn't seen or heard of any friends with this issue either.

So my DH took DS1 down for the swab this morning- he was such a good boy. No tears or problems at all. And apparently the lady in the next cubicle was also being tested- so interesting to know (she was probably the lady who walked out of the doctors before us last night- coughing)- apparently she was making more noise being tested then DS1 was...lol! So now we just wait and see- we get the results on friday so therefore no childcare tomorrow and friday (which means i'll have to talk to work- i feel a little guilty - though i know i shouldn't...thats the joys of being a parent- but i only work 2.5days, and have only worked 2 of those half days in the last 2 weeks cause i was sick).

Will let ya's know how we get on.

Thanks again for your replies and reassurance we've done the right thing.

[Aussiegirl777]

My 6 week old has tested postivie for WC. I think your doctor is fantastic for testing so early. It is a horrible disease and anyone can get it regardless if they are vaccinated or not. Vaccination only has 80% coverage. Hope all is well.

[DANNIIM]

We are all going to get our booster shots for WC before this baby is born, i was online yesterday doing my tutorial for study and one of the ladies had/has WC too seems to be alot going around and would rather be up to date. DS1 isn't due apparently til next year for his 10 yr old shots wondering if i can get them 6 months early or is it just best to wait til he is 10??

[~ Mylitta ~]

Fingers crossed for you that your bub doesn't have whooping cough.

My two stepsons that live with us (11 and 13 years old) both had whooping cough about 6 months ago and they were both fully immunised. Myself and my (at the time) 18 month old both didn't get it and we are both not immunised. When I asked the doctor about that he said that one of the most common strains going around at the moment is one that is not protected against by the vaccine, so the two older boys probably weren't protected from it.

[glorious]

when i went in for testing the doctor was not going to test as he thought it was just a viral cough but i pushed for my DD to be tested, came back + so we ALL went on AB's and were quarantined for the entire time from testing until we had all finished our AB's. only 1 out of the 4 of us was vaxed and he was just as bad as the rest.

whooping cough is not different for those who are or are not vaxed..

[Yeddi]

whooping cough is not different for those who are or are not vaxed..

Agreed. From my experience it's a common misconception that being vaccinated will make you get the disease only mildly in comparison (you just might get it A-typically, which in the case of measles is not milder but actually worse). We caught WC about 6 months ago - from a vaccinated child who had been brought to playgroup despite being sick. My DS was only 2 months at the time and didn't get it. DH and DD were vaccinated and got it just as bad as me who was unvaccinated.