Because I spent an entire weekend last year looking into pertussis, and what we would do if we had it, I’m going to outline what I learned below. As always, I’m a mom, not a medical professional, and this is not medical advice.
“I think he has this” she emailed me a link to the CDC’s whooping cough page after we had just spent all day indoors together the day before. Her kids and my kids shared drinks, raced sleeping bags down the stairs, and hugged and wrestled like champs. So many shared germs would have happened that day.
“Ahh! Okay, I bet we’ll get it, let me see what I can do” I said and then proceeded to let the kids watch way too much TV that day as I called our Dr. on call to schedule a test and proceeded to research what steps we would take if my kids did, in fact, have whooping cough. I’m super glad she told me as soon as she knew what was going on so that I had time to prepare, and would have been able to stop our family from spreading the disease before we knew we had it.
We didn’t end up catching it, which is odd since pertussis is supposed to be highly contagious. The other family did for sure have it (confirmed by a lab test). In my research of treatments, I found that whooping cough is actually more common than most people think, that the vaccine might not do what people are lead to believe it does and that this is one of the super rare cases that I would have used antibiotics in my kids.
I’d encourage any mom – vaccinating or not – to read this and possibly purchase some of the remedies to keep on hand. No, pertussis is not only caught among people who are not vaccinated (source, source, source), and it’s more common than most people realize. (Katie noted that it’s more common than people realize in this post as well)
Fully Vaccinated People Get (and Spread) Whooping Cough
Know the warning signs of pertussis, even if you are vaccinated you can still get pertussis and pass it on to others. The CDC recognizes that despite record high compliance with vaccinating, whooping cough is still on the rise (source). This suggests something isn’t working.
Like most families, we take precautions to avoid getting sick. When we come in from school, we wash our hands with soap and running water not hand sanitizer (study) for 20 seconds, we have soup every night with homemade stock (yes, your grandmother was right, homemade soup is good for your immune system), we take elderberry, we make getting enough sleep a priority.
But, in the case that we did have whooping cough, I didn’t want to be unprepared. So in the 24 hours between learning that we had been exposed, and getting the PCR test to learn that we did not, in fact, have it, I went into research mode.
How bad is whooping cough?
To be honest, whooping cough is pretty nasty. “The 100 day cough” is what it’s known as, with most cases lasting for 100 days. The severity ranges from a mild cough and cold-like symptoms, with a worse cough at night, to coughing fits all day and night so severe that the children or adults throw up after the cough.
The bacteria that causes whooping cough attach to the cilia in the lungs, preventing the cilia from doing their job of moving mucus up and out of the lungs. When this happens, the normal mucus produced by the lungs needs to be coughed up, which causes the coughing fits. Even after the ‘100 days’ when the cough is over, the cilia on the lungs are still damaged and the person who had whooping cough will be more likely to have more severe coughs for a full year later.
Some ‘vaccine preventable’ diseases are mild, but this one is nasty and I do want to avoid getting it if possible.
How is whooping cough spread?
Whooping cough is a bacterial illness that is spread through saliva that has the germs in it, this most commonly is from coughing and sneezing germ-laden saliva into the air and then someone else breathing it in.
How effective is the vaccine? Can vaccinated kids get it?
Though vaccine advertising and the nurse in the doctor’s office rarely are upfront about it, vaccines are never 100% effective, and often the studies done on their effectiveness are much less through than you would expect. The CDC itself says that 30% of adolescents and adults who have been vaccinated on schedule are not protected against the disease. (source).
Because of the bias in the healthcare industry, there is often misdiagnosis of whooping cough in vaccinated kids when healthcare providers rule out whooping cough because the person has been vaccinated, skewing the results further.
This is where anecdotal evidence is helpful – I personally know of a few families who have gotten pertussis, and even the children that had been vaccinated got it. Those vaccinated children weren’t diagnosed by their physician in most (or all, I don’t know the outcome of all of them) the cases, which will skew how effective the vaccine appears to be. So we can look at statistics and recommendations, but it’s important to realize the biases associated with them before we make our decisions.
How effective is the diagnostic test? Is it worth testing everyone?
There are three tests used in the US to test for whooping cough- the PCR, culture, and serum. They are for different stages of the illness.
The PCR test is designed for use within the first 3 weeks of cough onset. There is a higher rate of false-positive in this test. Results are ready within 24 hours. This is what we used (once exposed to whooping cough you need a negative test to return to school if you don’t vaccinate) and it gave us negative results.
When are antibiotics effective for pertussis?
As a rule, I avoid antibiotics in non-life-threatening circumstances for my family, so I was surprised to find that if we had tested positive for pertussis at the time we caught it, antibiotics would have a good options for our family.
Based on what I had learned about antibiotics and whooping cough we would have oped to do them if we tested positive. I would have chosen azythromycin because it is associated with less stomach upset than erythromycin (source).
- When started early enough, antibiotics shorten the duration and severity of the cough because the pertussis bacteria are slowed or stopped before too much damage to the cilia is done. (source) This appears to only work if caught in the first 2 weeks of illness, which is before the characteristic ‘whoop’ usually appears. We knew we were exposed so we tested for pertussis earlier than most people.
- When started at any time, they shorten the length of time you are contagious (100 days is a LONG time to avoid the public) (source)
The doctor offered prophylactic antibiotics as we waited for the test results, and I did decline those.
What natural methods are there to treat whooping cough?
Rather than run around town with possibly-contagious children, I hopped on amazon prime and purchased
- Lipsomal C (see more info about vitamin C for whooping cough here) – I use this when the kids get sick, and so far it’s seemed to keep me from getting more than a mild cold.
- Homeopathics: (see more info here)
- Chinese herbal remedy for cough (see more info here) – though we didn’t use this for pertussis, we do end up using it when we get a cough (and my lucky guests that are coughing get it as well) and it has worked VERY well!
My overall impression from whooping cough research:
Whooping cough presents in varying degrees, though, and isn’t always noticeable unless it’s a bad case. Because of this, it is more common than many people realize. Because of the stigma and judgment around those who choose not to vaccinate, many unvaccinated families are reluctant to share that they have whooping cough. Because of the over-trust in the effectiveness of vaccines, many families who do vaccinate also contact whooping cough and can spread it without realizing it. Antibiotics are useful for the disease when it is caught early to shorten the duration, and at any time to prevent transmission.
As always, check with your healthcare provider before making any decisions for your family. I am just a mom, this is not medical advice.
References cited above:
http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/28/6/1230.full.pdf+html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7675047?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8531284?dopt=Abstract
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/faqs.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21219730
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/mom/vacc-effectiveness.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15231980
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC548414/table/t1-33/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15231980
Learn how to heal leaky gut
60-page ebook of all my best GAPS Diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) articles all in one place.
As always, I appreciate your thoughtfully written, helpful blog post.
Two of my kids came down with whooping cough, one vaxed, the other not. It was rough but not to the degree to opt for antibiotics.
Way to be proactive and kudos to your friend for early notification. Nice to see calm, balanced discussion of this often highly contentious topic. ?
Thanks for the great article. Last year I cut my hand pretty badly needing stitches & tetanus shot. After my shot, the Dr said, “oh by the way, the tetanus had whooping cough vaccine in it, so now you can be around your grandkids without worry”. This was not my regular Dr, just the one at the 24 hr emergency clinic. I was beyond furious, & felt helpless, what was done was done. Complicating the matter I teach in the school his children attend & wife was president of PTA. I don’t take antibiotics, don’t get flu shots, etc. I felt so violated that I didn’t have a say, & he didn’t tell me beforehand…. Your article reminded me I want do research on the tetanus shot, in case I’m in a position to “need” it again…
It’s frustrating! The tetanus shot they give when you get cut or step on a nail isn’t really designed to do any good, I’m pretty sure they do it then because they have a captive audience.
You make it sound as if healthcare providers are out to get you! Good grief. As a patient it’s your responsibility to speak up and ask questions. You have the right to refuse anything. I always love these, “I don’t take antibiotics people.” It’s nice when you’re not immunocompromised when someone is young and healthy but just wait until you’re old and have sepsis.
Sorry, didn’t mean to sound like “they were out to get me” I went in for tetanus & stitches, came out with whooping cough vaccine. Didn’t think to ask what else would be included with the tetanus, since 10 years ago nothing was included. Actually I’m older (grandma age) with a serious chronic illness, so pretty on top of what it takes to be an informed patient. I felt the Dr should have mentioned it before the shot so I had the opportunity to ask for a little more information. Due to a serious egg allergy plus my illness, a flu shot will have serious consequences. What if the Dr had given me a flu shot then said “oh by the way, don’t worry about getting the flu now, I just gave you the shot” I only brought up my story and this reply to confirm your opinion, that we should ask questions about everything, even if it’s a procedure we’ve had before.
Thank you Aliceyn for your generous response. People get so offended when people choose different lifestyles than their own and can’t understand why certain decisions are made. Your post was very helpful and it informs us to ask about a shot and what is included because you just trust that the dr. is doing the right thing only to find out that they can cause harm because they didn’t inform you the proper way.
My mother-in-law fell outside the hospital and scraped her leg. They wanted to give her a tetanus shot. She called me (I was completely blind-sided) and said “hi, talk to this nurse” who explained that she wanted to give her a tetanus shot, but my MIL said she thought I would be mad lol. I asked her if it was even a puncture wound (it was not). I asked her to explain how the bacteria could get in and how a tetanus shot could help (she could not), so my MIL not-so-politely declined. They give that shot for EVERYTHING these days.
Nicely written, very well researched. Thank you for listing some alternative treatments! It reminded me to stock up.
Blessings to your family?
My daughter caught it from a vaccinated friend when she was 6. We chose not to give the antibiotics, and are very glad we did. We kept her at home longer as it is contagious longer without antibiotics. She was well, in between the odd bout (maybe 3-4 day) of coughing. If your children are strong and well it really isnt as bad as it is made out to be. We treated with homeopathics and chinese herbs.
I wish more people knew how ineffective the vaccine is – there is so much ego associated with vaccines that people don’t want to admit that vaccinated children can spread disease, so disease ends up being spread :/
My children were exposed to children that had been vaccinated and I picked up early. Tested positive. Told we could have antibiotics as tested early and would no longer be contagious. I didn’t want to be passing this on to a little baby or others with compromised immune system. The rest of us came down with symptoms a short time after child one so we all did the antibiotics which I hate. Other unvaccinated children from another family were exposed also but just stayed home.(homeschoolers) They however had the cough for a long time. Our symptoms cleared up very quickly.
My whole family got it from 8 month old baby to 12 year old (7 kids) We used the lipospheric vitamin C in high doses and it worked very well. You could tell when it was wearing off and we needed another dose- quite amazing. Also used other natural methods as per these very helpful links below. (The vitamin c one may be the same as your link – I haven’t checked.) We got the whole “You haven’t immunised so now you will be responsible when your baby dies…” scare talk from the doctor. Not very helpful. It was not nice for the first child who we started treating once it was in full whooping cough swing but as we got the remedies going with the others at the first cold-like sniffle they were much better and got a much milder attack of W. cough. They did test positive so all did have it, just not all as bad. I put that down to the natural treatments. The baby never got past a cold with bad cough stage – if we didn’t know the others had WC we would not have known she had it from her symptoms. All the worry for nothing. The vitamin C was VERY COSTLY but we figure it was well worth it. In Australia the cheapest place we could get it was here: http://www.johnappleton.co.nz/categories/product/21-lypo-spheric-vitamin-c-carton-of-12 (No we do not get a kickback :) )
http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2012/09/07/vitamin-c-for-whooping-cough-updated-edition-suzanne-humphries-md/ (Scroll down to get to vitamin c info)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/larry-malerba/whooping-cough_b_2070676.htmlhttp://holisticsquid.com/natural-treatment-for-whooping-cough/
I think this is so helpful for people to find out that there are treatments that REALLY work if your family comes down with it.
My twins got it at 18 months (one worse than the other) and it was truly awful. At night I slept on the floor by her crib to hold her when she’d start coughing. This horrible part only lasted a couple of nights, and I spent every waking hour searching for relief for her. I read about a homeopathic remedy and I kid you not, she started to get better immediately upon me administering it to her!! Like I said, it was a rough couple of nights until I found it but then it was over. That was the beginning of my road to homeopathic remedies.
Could you share what the homeopathic remedy was that you used?
I purchased the one linked, but I didn’t end up using it because we didn’t have whooping cough
What was the homeopathic remedy you used, and found helpful? I’d love to keep some on hand! :)
We currently have WC (8,6,4, 22 months) and Drosera 30, Ipecac 30, Cuprum Met 6, and Coccus cacti 30 have all been helpful (pick the remedy that fits each child’s symptoms best). We are also doing the vitamin c protocol. We did not do antibiotics, as that would have been detrimental to their immune systems and I am will not give them for the sake of being able to be out in public sooner. You are not contagious for the full 100 days.
Thank you for sharing all that information and for its thoroughness.
See, why can’t we just do this? Instead of vaccinating, couldn’t we all just take the natural remedy needed to make us well? We would all get sick, hopefully get over it with the proper nutrition and herbs, and get on with life. Thank you for sharing this information in such a calm manner and doing some of the research for us!
I appreciate your thoughtful input on this subject and willingness to share it publicly! Would love to hear your thoughts on strep throat as well.
It’s my understanding that strep is a normally-occurring bacteria in many people’s throats, so the strep test gives a ‘positive’ in many cases when there isn’t too much strep- just the normal amount.
We don’t test for strep. If symptoms were more than I could manage on my own I would go in and get antibiotics, but I don’t go in and get a strep test every time we have a sore throat. And I don’t necessarily believe that strep always needs abx.
I do use ibuprofen for pain relief and comfort when my family is ill. It’s not really recommended, but we still use it.
I have four kids, and so far I have never had to take any of them in to a medical doctor for an illness (oldest is 8 yrs). When the two oldest have had strep, I gave them a protocol recommended by our naturopath. It has worked each time, and it included oil of oregano (the natural antibiotic!), Nucleotides, Propolis, and extra probiotics. If one of them couldn’t/wouldn’t take the oil of oregano, I would use Garlicidin or colloidal silver (last resort). I would have taken them in to their pediatrician if they had not gotten any better, but the natural means has worked for our family up to this point.
Cara, Thank you for this great article. I have a friend whose kids had whooping cough for a month. She was treating with high vitamin C, but wasn’t sure it was truly WC. She finally took them to MD, he examined them and said “it wasn’t “, but tested them anyway. It was positive. He did put them on antibiotics and it cleared up. I have always tried to be prepared, but I haven’t heard mention of lobelia. That is something, besides the vit C I have on hand at all times. Lobelia will open the bronchial tubes. I know there is a big hype about it, but they used to give it to newborns to help them breathe. And in small children, they need a drop. I don’t use the homeopathic, I use the herbal form.
Thanks for the info.
Thank you so much for writing this post. It is filled with very useful information, particularly for those of us who don’t follow the mainstream medical route but also aren’t closed off to the help it can provide.
Much appreciated!
I thought this was going to be just another post bashing on vaccinations and Western medicine but it turned out being pretty balanced. I just hope people don’t become so biased that they end up fearing Western treatment altogether. There still is a time and place for antibiotics…AND vaccinations.
I appreciate your research and presenting your sources. Both of my children have been vaccinated but I know this vaccine is not very effective. It is reassuring to have ways to support them should they ever become sick.
Our entire church got whooping cough last October (vaccinated, unvaccinated, kids and grown ups – there were a few exceptions but I would venture to say 95% of us had it) . We had all the symptoms and finally one family (the one with the 7 week old baby) went and got tested and tested positive. After much researching one of the ladies found this article online
http://www.vaccinationcouncil.org/2012/09/07/vitamin-c-for-whooping-cough-updated-edition-suzanne-humphries-md/
she has a very good explanation of why antibiotics are not useful for whooping cough :
“Antibiotics can, however, make the pertussis more severe by releasing LPS from other gram-negative bacteria during the “die-off” that happens with antibiotics on the gut. They say it stops the baby from coughing as much bacteria into the environment for others to catch. But it can also really sicken the gut, and make babies hyper- irritable. The side-effects of antibiotics outweigh any potential advantages, particularly since antibiotics don’t work for whooping cough. But they do suppress the immune system and alter the colon, which provides 70% of immunity.”
The entire church went on this protocol and used this vitamin C http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I4DOVU?keywords=sodium%20ascorbate&qid=1450331083&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
One young man in the church (26 years old) was taking 30 grams a day! Most of us fell out around 10 grams a day. Our kids took between 5-8 grams a day. In our family personally (there were 8 of us at the time – thankfully I was pregnant with little number 7. I was SO glad he wasn’t a newborn when this happened!) I took 8 grams a day and the kids took between 4-6 grams depending on weight and when they were saturated (loose stools). The kids had varying degrees of coughing with some never developing a “whoop” but coughing until they turned red in the face. Others had a less severe cough but whooped at the end of each coughing fit. Each child was different. Thankfully with the help of the vitamin C (and a wonderful herbal tincture called Anti-Spasmodic by Dr Christopher which we gave both internally and rubbed on externally) we recovered fully (though it did indeed take some time) and we continue to take the C just because we figured it would be good for us. Not in the high doses – only about 1 gram a day. As an interesting side note – since I was pregnant at the time I did some research on how the Vitamin C might effect the baby. What I found was a fascinating article by a Doctor who did a small study of high doses of Vitamin C in 300 pregnant women. What he found was the women had easy labors (with some being said to be “pain free”) and not one hemorrhage after delivery. The babies were more robust and were called “The C babies” in the hospital. I joked with my hubby that maybe I wouldn’t even have a labor :) Our little guy arrived on Jan 1st after a 61 minute labor in which I can honestly say – I did not have one contraction. I would not say it was pain free as I dont enjoy the pushing part but by golly, it was the easiest labor I have ever had (and I had 6 prior to that one with 5 of those being at home). I am serious ladies – not one contraction. I really did not think I was in labor but my hubby recognized transition (hes seen it once or twice) and called the midwife who hurried over and was here about 10 minutes before our little guy came into the world. I know for sure that if the Lord blesses us with another little one – I’m taking vitamin C!
Thanks so much for this info. I try to stay away from antibiotics as much as possible and use herbs instead. But, I think I would be ok using that first antibiotic( I believe it’s a Z pack?) Then lots of broth and probiotics for sure!
Thank you for this very well thought out and written article. I did have whooping cough myself (52 yrs old at the time and vaccinated when i was young) 5 years ago and I did not know about the Vitamin C protocol. My lungs were very damaged and I am still having minor issues. I started homeopathics 4 yrs ago and that is when I started getting better. My sons family with 4 children had whooping cough 2 yrs ago and thankfully I learned about Suzanne Humphries and Vitamin C so they kept a pretty strict schedule with the Vitamin C.
One doctor told me that you can get whooping cough again. Not very encouraging.
Anyway when my sons family had it I was kind of nervous that I might get it again and I talked to my homeopath and he told me evertime you are around someone with whooping cough then take 1 dose of Pulsatilla 200C. Just one dose. Which means if you are around someone again in another week then take 1 more dose. That’s how it works. That is what I did. I love that hoemopathics are a medicine but a very safe medicine.