To not want to go on holiday with a friend with whooping cough

[Tarantella43]

Due to go away with my kids, and my friend, her partner and 4 kids tomorrow. Her partner has developed whooping cough this week, started antibiotics on Thurs. NHS say you are not contagious after 48 hours of antibiotics, although other countries state that it takes 5 days. Both my kids have health conditions which make them more vulnerable to respiratory complications (which you can get with whooping cough). Even if her partner is not contagious after 48 hours, I figure the other 5 members of her family on the holiday could come down with it while we’re there. Not sure whether reasonable to cancel, or if I should arrive two days later (accommodation booked until Weds) when the partner may be less contagious… or would you just go anyway?

Are you all vaccinated?

Yes I think all vaccinated. You can still get it, but it should be milder.

Even if he's not contagious he'll be very unwell, miserable and noisy to be around.

If you are all vaccinated and are not planning to sleep in the same room with him, I wouldn't worry massively, personally.

Do what you believe is best for your family, do not go on this holiday with the sick people. In reality, they shouldn't be going and leaving you to go if you want too. They are the ones who are sick.

I had whooping cough last Christmas- vaccinated as a child. I felt really ill ( coughing, vomiting, fever, exhaustion etc) for a couple of weeks, and the cough didn't go until May.

Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near anyone with it.

I wouldn't go - my kids all got whooping cough last year despite being vaccinated as babies and there was nothing mild about it (or if what they had was mild, then it really is very deadly).

Very unfair of them not to cancel in their circumstance.

I don’t think it’s anyone else’s call. If you’re unhappy and worried, do what feels right to
you.

Personally, I’d not be concerned, but that’s just me. I had whooping cough last Nov. Although I coughed for more than 6 months, I felt perfectly well throughout.

There's no way I'd go. You can still catch it even if you're vaccinated.

I wouldn’t go, hopefully your insurance may cover you, I hope you have it?

Unfair they’re making you make the call and potentially missing your holiday when they should be the ones to stay at home.

Nah, I wouldn't go! I had whooping cough in Feb this year and it was a nightmare! My son had it too! Both of us are vaccinated! The cough was horrendous and lasted months!

If the whole family have been treated with antibiotics I'd go, but if not, I wouldn't risk it

No way I'd go either. Really not worth it.

Are you sharing accommodation? If so I would probably cancel or try to amend the booking.

Will your insurance cover you pulling out of they’re the one’s with the illness?

crappy of them to put this on you.

I think with children who are vulnerable to a respiratory condition I wouldn't go. I'd expect friend to understand (and I'd be a bit fed up) but I wouldn't risk my DC with what can be a very nasty disease.

He should stay at home. My friend recently had whooping cough and she was sick for weeks, coughing and spluttering, and felt really lousy. She had the good sense to stay at home.

"had the good sense to stay at home."

Since covid people now have the attitude
don't look live in fear.
You must be regularly exposed to pathogens gor have hybrid immunity / to avoid an "immunity gap".
If you feel well enough to go, crack on.

SO I'm not surprised your friends are still going.

I guess you have you do your own risk assessment ...

Thanks All, this has been helpful. I have decided not to go.