Natural Pediatrics

Pertussis, known more commonly as Whooping Cough, has reached epidemic levels in Washington State, where I live and practice. Some people may wonder what this means to them. Attitudes about this particular disease can vary greatly represented bythe following range of questions: Isn't this a treatable illness? Should we all be wearing masks in public? What's the big deal? Isn't this just another example of media hype? How can anyone choose not to vaccinate their children or themselves? Do I really need the booster vaccine? Does my child really need the booster vaccine? Should I go to the doctor for my cough? Aren't there risks with the vaccine? Do people really die from pertussis? Please continue reading if you are interested in factual and practical information about Pertussis, including what you should do to protect yourself and family if you are not vaccinated against this highly contagious infection. The more educated we are, the more likely we will be to take measures that stop the spread of this disease. Read the rest of this entry »