Exposure to whooping cough?

Hi,

I know there are some nurses here on the message board so i wanted to get your thoughts. My sis was dx stg iv nslc dec 23 08. She finished her chemo and is now halfway thru her radiation. The tumor in her left lung had shrunk. Her lymph nodes were back to normal size.

Found out today that a co-worker of hers was diagnosed with whooping cough yesterday. He evidently has been coughing for about 3 weeks.

They hand paperwork from one to the other so she is worried about exposure. She called her primary yesterday (wed) who returned her call Thurs afternoon. Said if he had the cough that long then she would have had signs of getting it by now. That only those in his household need worry.

I have read where droplets can come from them sneezing, laughing or coughing. So we are wondering if he hands her paperwork that he just happened to sneeze on then how much at risk is she?

Her onc had told her to call her primary which she did. The primary said she could send antiobiotics to her but didn't feel they were needed.

I want to her to feel as safe as she can. I suggested for her to talk to her pulmonary doctor and see what he said.

What do you all think?

By claires
Posted July 3, 2009 at 9:57 am
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Ij am not a health professional, but whooping cough is tough. IF antibiotics can prevent it (can they?) I'd sure go for it. Meantime, your sister was inoculated against whooping cough years ago. Does it last?

By LoriD
Posted July 3, 2009 at 4:47 pm
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Pertussis is most contagious in the early stage. (first two weeks) Antibiotics are available to prevent or lessen severity of illness in people deemed to be close contacts. The incubation period is 7-14 days but can be as long as 21 days. I am concened about your sister because of immunosuppression and underlying lung problems. Other considerations are how much time did she spend in close proximity to the co worker and for how long. (every day?)

The number of pertussis cases are increasing and a vaccine booster has been recommended for 11- 12 year olds and also for adults when it is time for their tetanus booster.

The Health Dept. investigates suspected and confirmed cases of Pertussis. She could contact the Health Dept. in her area for advice.

Lori

By easterbaby
Posted July 3, 2009 at 8:07 pm
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Thank you for sharing the info. She does have contact with this person every day. They work in the same area.

I have forwarded your suggestions to her. She must be out and about right now as I got her voicemail when I tried to call.

I worry too because I know her immune system is lower than normal.

By cuddles53
Posted July 3, 2009 at 9:38 pm
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I would follow the doctors advice, he is the professional that you need to discuss this with, there is no playing around at all with someone who has a compromised immune system, but the doctors are the real experts when it comes to if you will catch it or not, if he isn't too worried and has told her to watch for signs of a cough then this is the best advice you can get. I am a healthcare professional registered nurse, however, I couldn't make that determination, I would be doing the same thing, calling the doctors about it, they do the advising on what should be done if contact has been made, another source if their is no doctor available would of course be the health department who do evaluate the need for followup care. Good luck, I pray she has not contracted anything to cause her harm.
God bless.
Sandy

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