How to on What to do When Exposed to Whooping Cough

Believe it or not, vaccines are not 100% effective against Whooping Cough. Here's what to do if you've been exposed to the bacteria.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your Doctor

1. Call your doctor immediately and ask the following questions. How up to date are your (or your child's) immunizations? What are the signs and symptoms to look out for? Would he/she put you or your child on antibiotics preventively?

2. Remove yourself from situations where you may spread the disease, especially to infants and anyone with a compromised immune system (Cancer Patients, AIDS, HIV an any other) for two weeks.

3. If you are taking the antibiotics prophylactically, you should not be contagious after 5 days of treatment. To be sure, discuss this with your doctor.

4. Symptoms of Whooping Cough will typically appear within 7-10 days of exposure but may be sooner or later. You are contagious as soon as symptoms arise. The first stage of whooping cough typically presents itself as a common cold. (runny nose, coughing, slight fever, malaise etc..but you may or not present all of these symptoms)

5. If symptoms appear. Be sure to contact your physician. This bacterial infection is HIGHLY contagious. The good news is, if you have been fully immunized, your symptoms should not be as severe as an un immunized person. Some believe that taking antibiotics before the onset of symptoms actually prevents Whooping Cough.

Tips & Warnings

• Always discuss any symptoms of illnesses with your doctor. Do not try to diagnose and treat yourself.