[''Mainstream medical treatment of Whooping Cough is using antibiotics and "palliative" care. First up...., it doesn't work. They know that..., I know that..., but they won't tell you that, for the simple reason that... they have NOTHING else to offer you....If you use antibiotics, you can just about guarantee your child WILL BE sicker'' [2012 June] Whooping cough treatment by Hilary Butler]
Whooping Cough Outbreak in Five Hills Health Region
Category: Local News
Published: Wednesday, 01 February 2017 16:50
Written by Craig Hemingway
The Five Hills Health Region (FHHR) says there has been a Pertussis (aka “Whooping Cough) outbreak within the region.
FHHR says there are four confirmed cases among school-aged children.
“Two elementary school children and two in high school,” explained Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Mark Vooght.
According to a FHHR news release, “Pertussis is a potentially serious and highly contagious infection of the lungs and throat. Pertussis starts like a common cold with symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, a mild fever and cough that progressively gets worse over the next week or two. Symptoms include severe coughing spells that often end with a whooping sound before the next breath, especially in young children."
Vooght says that the students are being treated (antibiotics is the standard treatment) and that FHHR officials are alerting other families whose children may have been in contact with the students that contracted the disease, and asking them to check for symptoms.
Immunizations for Pertussis are available as part of the province's routine child immunization program (from 2 months of age to grade 8), but Vooght says the affected students had received their shots.
“They have all been immunized,” confirmed Vooght, reminding us that “in some people the vaccine may not give total protection. A person could be a-symptomatic...not have any symptoms and still pass it on to other people. Whether it's influenza or pertussis this can happen."
“By the time people are adolescents..approaching Grade 8, they need a booster. That's why Public Health nurses are looking at kids in Grade 7, as they're preparing to go into Grade 8, and asking 'are they up to date' (with their vaccinations).”
According to the release, "Pertussis-containing vaccines are part of the routine child immunization program (2 months of age to grade 8). An adult vaccine is freely available in the form of TdaP vaccine. Pregnant women who have not previously received TdaP vaccine can safely receive it after 26 weeks gestation. If individuals or their family members have not been vaccinated they should contact public health to make an appointment."
Vooght says the disease can have more severe effects for those on either end of the age spectrum. “It's nasty for little kids. The smaller or younger you are, especially kids less than a year or two of age. (And) pregnant women and newborns can get the disease pretty badly, as can older people, especially those that are immuno-suppressed.”
If you are unsure of your or your family member’s immunization status, you can contact your local public health office:
Moose Jaw – 306-691-1500
Assiniboia – 306-642-2200
Gravelbourg – 306-648-1400
https://www.discovermoosejaw.com/local/51806-whooping-cough-outbreak-in-five-hills-health-region