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Original poster

Whooping Cough

15 replies

Stephisaur · 01/10/2018 18:22

I had my vaccination a couple of weeks ago (currently 29 weeks) but my friend, who I saw on Saturday, has messaged me today to say that she has just been diagnosed with whooping cough :(

I’ve texted my midwife but she hasn’t replied - do I assume that my vaccination has me covered?

OP posts:
overagain · 01/10/2018 18:23

Yes, but I'd avoid your friend. You could still get it, just milder.

Original poster
Stephisaur · 01/10/2018 18:44

@overagain not seeing her again until her wedding at the end of the month. She’s got antibiotics and doctor said she should stop being infectious after a week or so of that.

Just threw me a bit!

OP posts:
overagain · 01/10/2018 18:54

Yes, I can imagine it'd be worrying! But you will be fine, as will baby. Shows how important it is to get the vaccine though. Must book mine.

FoxgloveStar · 01/10/2018 22:08

Avoid. It takes a few weeks after the vaccine for your body to start generating the antibodies. Check with Doctor.

Original poster
Stephisaur · 01/10/2018 22:18

@foxglovestar do you know how many weeks it takes? I had my whooping cough jab 6 weeks ago so would you say it’s started making antibodies by now?

Still waiting to hear back from my midwife x

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FoxgloveStar · 01/10/2018 22:46

6 weeks I think but please check with medical professional. Not worth the risk.

jomaIone · 01/10/2018 22:51

I think you get the vaccination to prevent whooping cough in your newborn rather than in pregnancy. I don't think you getting it while pregnant will cause any problems. You'll be able to cope with it but a newborn can't!

Try not to worry, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Uncreative · 02/10/2018 03:01

It was good of your friend to warn you, even though you are anxious about it now. As jomalene said, your will probably be fine even if you do catch it. The vaccination is really more for your baby than for you.

Hope your friend makes a speedy recovery and you hear from your midwife soon.

FoxgloveStar · 02/10/2018 05:58

You still really don’t want to catch it. It is nasty and you will then be potentially infectious to others (including new baby when it arrives).

CrimsonFootstool · 02/10/2018 06:17

It is true that once she’s had the antibiotics she is no longer contagious after a few days. So you are ok to see her after this. She will probably be coughing for a long time. It is known as the cough of 100 days. However when my DS caught it at 3 weeks old he was coughing for 6 months. (This was prior to vaccination of pregnant women, he was part of the statistic that led to the vaccine being introduced).

Darkstar4855 · 02/10/2018 12:23

Antibody levels peak around 14 days after vaccination so if you were vaccinated more than two weeks ago you should be fine.

Original poster
Stephisaur · 03/10/2018 09:48

Just wanted to update and say that the midwife has advised that the vaccine has been in my system long enough to take effect.

Thanks for all the replies :)

OP posts:
Seeline · 03/10/2018 09:54

Just in case - to reassure you - I caught whooping cough at about 6 months (this was 17 years ago - long before the vaccination was around. I hadn't had the vaccination as a baby due to medical complications). It was horrible, but I was fine, as was DS. He is now a strapping, nearly-17yo, and much bigger than me.

ButAIBUtho · 03/10/2018 11:39

Your poor friend, I hope she's ok!

Glad to hear you're covered as well.

Original poster
Stephisaur · 03/10/2018 12:02

@Seeline that must have been quite worrying for you! Glad you were both ok :)

@ButAIBUtho I know! And only a few weeks before her Wedding poor thing :(

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