Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Studies & Stats

Disease Definition

Caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis, this disease is highly infectious and most serious in babies. The disease is spread through droplets in the air and it can develop from upper respiratory tract (windpipe) infections into pertussis pneumonia (lung infection).
Symptoms include coughing and ‘whooping’, which can continue for a few months. Complications of the disease include hypoxic encephalopathy (lack of oxygen to the brain) leading to brain damage and possibly death.
Source: www.immunise.health.gov.au/internet/immunise/publishing.nsf/Content/pertussis
The incubation period is 7 - 14 days with the initial symptoms those of a common cold: runny nose, sneezing, listlessness, loss of appetite, some tearing in the eyes, and sometimes a mild fever. As the disease progresses the child develops a severe cough at night, which later appears during the day as well. Within a week to ten days after the first symptoms the cough will become paroxysmal. The child may cough a dozen times with each breath, each coughing bout ending with a ‘whooping’ intake of breath.
Infected persons can transmit the disease to others for about a month after the appearance of the initial symptoms, so it is important that they be isolated, especially from other children.
Source: How to raise a healthy child... in spite of you doctor
by pediatrician Robert S. Mendelsohn, MD

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

About the Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
Several years ago, we in Australia were told that the whole-cell pertussis or whooping cough vaccine which we had used here since the 1930's and which was 'perfectly safe', was being gradually replaced by another type of 'even safer' acellular vaccine.
The technology to produce Acellular pertussis vaccines had been used in Japan since 1981 but, since these vaccines are more expensive to produce and purchase, we here in Australia did not have access to them until almost 20 years later.
Unfortunately, whilst there is no doubt that for short-term side effects such as fever and crying, the newer acellular vaccines cause fewer reactions, however when it comes to the long-term effects such as shock/collapse or convulsions, there is no difference at all. In fact, when we look at severe swelling at the injection site which sometimes requires surgery and massive loss of tissue, the acellular vaccines are far worse than the whole cell shots ever were.

Pertussis vaccine is given in combination with tetanus and diphtheria.
Vaccines used in Australia:
(see DTP page for combination DTP vaccines used)

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• DTP - ( Diphtheria - Tetanus - Pertussis: 'Whooping Cough' )
• MMR - ( Measles - Mumps - Rubella ) • Hepatitis B • Hib • Polio
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10 Reasons why parents question vaccination

What to do if you
don’t vaccinate
(and even if you do!):
As prevention: Improve the nutrition of the child, especially in babies. Therefore breast-feeding is essential.
As treatment: Large doses of ascorbate (Vitamin C), rest and support.
Homoeopathic remedies: As prevention Pertussin, as treatment Drosera is the most common remedy. (However see a qualified homoeopath as every individual is different)

information taken from: Vaccination? It’s your informed choice.
By Dr Peter
Baratosy