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Original poster

Whooping cough

15 replies

Elmagr10 · 12/03/2024 17:40

It’s highly likely that my son has whooping cough. He had a cough for around 2/3 weeks but was improving. Attended school all last week but still not 100% cough free.

on Friday the school wrote to all parents advising they’d been made aware of some cases of whooping cough. I felt guilty for not having considered it but as DS was on the mend all was well.

Until yesterday when the cough returned with a vengeance. No whoop as such but definite gasps between bouts, almost vomiting and none stop bless him. We are waiting for swab but likely too late for antibiotics to help so I’m hoping for some ideas for relief for him. Apparently there has been a high number of cases where we are but the GP felt it was nailed on to be confirmed.

will steam help? Nothing seems to bring him any relief so any ideas appreciated

OP posts:
pleasestoprainingplease · 12/03/2024 17:46

Interesting.... both my children have had awful coughs since Christmas. I took one of them with asthma to the gp in January and he was given antibiotics but it didn't change a thing. My other son sounds more horrendous than ever and I finally have an appointment next week for him. So will hear what the Gp thinks. I did wonder about whooping cough but neither of mine made a weird sound like that. They'd kind of gasp and choke quite a lot and once they start takes a long time to stop coughing again. Think it's really wearing my youngest out to be honest.

I guess we're out of the swab timing catchment by now as it's been months but i must do some research. Do you know if it just goes away? I hope your child is feeling better soon!

Will keep a watch on this thread incase anyone has some tips etc

RemarkablyBrightCreature · 12/03/2024 18:51

@pleasestoprainingplease it definitely sounds like WC - the whoop isn’t evident in everyone but the coughing until you feel like you’re choking is very reminiscent of WC. I’ve had it for over 6 weeks now and it’s grim as fuck - I can’t imagine how hard it must be to watch your kids go through it. I personally have not found anything that helps the cough - I’ve tried a humidifier, inhaler, codéine, antibiotics, all sorts but nothing makes a difference.

And yes it does just go away - but it’s not called the 100 day cough for nothing 😬

Bunnycat101 · 12/03/2024 19:37

I think you’d know if you had it tbh. When my 1yo had it, it was bloody horrible and really distressing. Much more than a normal bad cough. I’ll never forget the sound. We went through the public health agency for reporting and contact tracing which was another faff. Ours was obvious pretty
quickly. Try and take videos if you’re not sure while waiting for swabs. It helped the dr to see the video of the coughing.

There wasn’t a huge amount that provided relief. Night was much worse - we’d need to take her outside for a bit of cooler fresher air. keeping a sick bowl handy also helpful.

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Original poster
Elmagr10 · 12/03/2024 19:45

DS definitely has a long gasp rather than a whoop. It’s very distressing to watch but he also is absolutely fed up bless him. Nothing is providing relief. My mum also has a very nasty cough so I’ve asked her to get checked out

OP posts:
LakeTiticaca · 12/03/2024 19:46

Has he been vaccinated?

Original poster
Elmagr10 · 13/03/2024 07:14

Yes fully vaccinated. Never missed any childhood vaccinations.

OP posts:
Saramia · 13/03/2024 07:17

Steam helps with any cough, as does lying on your tummy.

ForRoseExpert · 10/04/2024 16:11

pleasestoprainingplease · 12/03/2024 17:46

Interesting.... both my children have had awful coughs since Christmas. I took one of them with asthma to the gp in January and he was given antibiotics but it didn't change a thing. My other son sounds more horrendous than ever and I finally have an appointment next week for him. So will hear what the Gp thinks. I did wonder about whooping cough but neither of mine made a weird sound like that. They'd kind of gasp and choke quite a lot and once they start takes a long time to stop coughing again. Think it's really wearing my youngest out to be honest.

I guess we're out of the swab timing catchment by now as it's been months but i must do some research. Do you know if it just goes away? I hope your child is feeling better soon!

Will keep a watch on this thread incase anyone has some tips etc

Did the test for whooping cough and covid - both notifiable diseases with main cough as a main symptom. They are notifiable diseases because they can be dangerous and they are highly contagious, meaning medical professionals need to act before even getting a positive result- how did they act? Wondering if prevention and the protection of the public crossed their mind....

ForRoseExpert · 10/04/2024 16:15

Bunnycat101 · 12/03/2024 19:37

I think you’d know if you had it tbh. When my 1yo had it, it was bloody horrible and really distressing. Much more than a normal bad cough. I’ll never forget the sound. We went through the public health agency for reporting and contact tracing which was another faff. Ours was obvious pretty
quickly. Try and take videos if you’re not sure while waiting for swabs. It helped the dr to see the video of the coughing.

There wasn’t a huge amount that provided relief. Night was much worse - we’d need to take her outside for a bit of cooler fresher air. keeping a sick bowl handy also helpful.

Edited

When did this happen, what year? Wondering if the public health agency still exists, knowing they closed down PHE in the middle of the pandemic, when it was most needed and replaced it with something else - UKHSA https://bylinetimes.com/2023/07/05/pandemic-health-agency-with-no-proper-governance-spent-billions-without-parliamentary-approval/

Pandemic Health Agency with No Proper Governance Spent Billions Without Parliamentary Approval – Byline Times

A report by the Commons' Public Accounts Committee found that the UK Health Security Agency had no auditable accounts

https://bylinetimes.com/2023/07/05/pandemic-health-agency-with-no-proper-governance-spent-billions-without-parliamentary-approval

BudsBeginingSpringinSight · 10/04/2024 16:34

How does one get the whopping cough test

RemarkablyBrightCreature · 10/04/2024 17:30

BudsBeginingSpringinSight · 10/04/2024 16:34

How does one get the whopping cough test

Through your GP - blood test.

RemarkablyBrightCreature · 10/04/2024 17:31

LakeTiticaca · 12/03/2024 19:46

Has he been vaccinated?

The whooping cough vaccine doesn’t last. My kids are fully vaccinated and both have had WC in the last few weeks - as have me and dh. It’s been horrific.

Mumofbonkersgirls · 18/06/2024 23:20

Hello, I just wanted to see if your child was better? My two daughters have been coughing for just under 4 weeks now on and off. When will it end!!! 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
Elmagr10 · 22/06/2024 21:07

Mumofbonkersgirls · 18/06/2024 23:20

Hello, I just wanted to see if your child was better? My two daughters have been coughing for just under 4 weeks now on and off. When will it end!!! 🤦‍♀️

Hi, he is better now. It was whooping cough and it took a good while to shift properly.

There were 5 confirmed cases in his school so not as many as I first thought. Just unlucky I suppose.

OP posts:
Kitkat1523 · 22/06/2024 21:14

I’m 6 weeks in…..obviously not coughing as much but it’s wIped me out

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