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New mothers can protect newborns by getting pertussis vaccination
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by Michelle Butzgy
Paraglide
New mothers can be the first line of defense for their newborn by getting a pertussis vaccination before they leave the hospital with their baby, according to the Center for Disease Control.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has been making a comeback and infants are contracting the disease from their parents, other Family members and day care providers.
Every three to five years, there is an increase in cases of pertussis. In North Carolina, 127 confirmed cases were reported in 2005. This number rose to 326 confirmed cases of pertussis in 2007, according to the CDC.
Womack Army Medical Center is one of the first Army hospitals to begin educating the Fort Bragg community about the dangers of pertussis, especially in infants. Brochures, handouts, teleprompter messages and questionnaires given out when being admitted to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department are some of the tools Womack is using, said Doris Pinckney, WAMC clinical nurse specialist.
“Prior to them being discharged from the hospital, they will be highly encouraged to take the vaccine. Not just them but Family members, childcare providers, anyone who are coming in contact with that baby,” said Pinckney. She added that healthcare providers are also encouraged to get the vaccine.
People of all ages can contract the disease by direct contact with the infected person’s sneezes or coughs.
“It probably depends on your immune status. The more booster shots you’ve received, you’re protected from it,” said Lt. Col. Barbara Bowsher, WAMC chief of pediatrics.
Symptoms at first are similar to the common cold — runny nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and cough, said Col. Paul Whitecar, WAMC chief of maternal fetal medicine. After one to two weeks, the patient develops severe coughing, whooping and vomiting after coughing.
“It sometimes goes undiagnosed. You’re not going to diagnose it unless you look for it,” Whitecar said.
“Newborns have severe vomiting and coughing, they can’t keep their food down so they lose weight, they’re dehydrated and it can lead to pneumonia. That is what our primary concern here is to prevent that,” said Pinckney.
The best way to prevent pertussis is vaccination, said Lt. Col. Mary Katherine Carson, WAMC chief of maternal child nursing.
Military Family members can get vaccinated at any of the health clinics. Non-military Family members can go to the local health clinic or their doctor’s office.
For more information about pertussis, visit www.cdc.gov. To see a video of infants with pertussis, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ5jf-5MobE.
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