Whooping cough at epidemic levels in California

[pokerfan]

What's next? Polio?

That’s right: an almost completely preventable disease is coming back with a roar in California. There have been well over 900 cases of pertussis in that state this year, over four times as many as this time last year (and 600 more suspected cases are being investigated). If this keeps up, California may see more cases in 2010 than it has in 50 years.

If that doesn’t anger and sicken you enough, then this most assuredly will: there have been five deaths this year from pertussis as well, all babies under three months of age.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/06/23/whooping-cough-now-an-epidemic-in-california

[shraby]

1. It appears that some parents have to learn the hard way that

the vaccine was developed for a very good reason...as well as all the other vaccines.

[SoCalNative]

2. It's all of those great parents

who refuse to vaccinate their little darlings,

This is all their fault. And now we all have to suffer and get our full DPT shots again.

[girl gone mad]

5. I think the real culprit is our inadequate health care system..

which leaves large groups of people out in the cold when it comes to primary care.

[xchrom]

3. Because there is no such thing as a vaccine available? Nt

[PDJane]

4. This is why it is in the interest of society

For free vaccines to be available to everyone and for those vaccines to be given at the proper intervals by proper health officials. This is bloody insane, people! This is the reason for universal health care. This is the reason that flu vaccines are given in malls here, and without anything more oppressive than an address.

What in the name of hell is in the water or the air down there, or is it just propaganda? I don't get it.

[femmedem]

6. Even if all parents vaccinate their children, it's tough to eradicate because

the immunity doesn't last forever--maybe ten years. And people are most contagious during the early stages, when symptoms are the same as a cold. For a few years now, the government has been recommending that adults get boosters every ten years.

28% of reported cases are adults. But because many adults don't develop the whoop at the end of their coughing fits, and because in general their symptoms aren't as severe as children's, the incidence of whooping cough among adults is probably vastly under-reported.

I've been reading about whooping cough lately because I think I may have it. :( I did actually whoop after one of my prolonged coughing fits last night.