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Whooping Cough (November 2017)

A common upper respiratory disease called Pertussis many often know as Whooping Cough. You may have even heard of it as the “100 day cough”? This is a lingering disease that starts off with cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, a mild fever, and maybe a cough. These mild symptoms last for almost 2 weeks and then, as the disease develops, you may notice a worsening rapid cough with high pitched “whoop” sound accompanied by fatigue and sometimes vomiting due to the extreme coughing.  This disease is extremely contagious by breathing in the bacteria that are present in droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The person who is infected is contagious for up to 3 weeks!  And the worst part is…they may not even know they have it.

Infants are at risk for most severe complications including pneumonia and seizures because their immune systems are underdeveloped.  But, since the disease starts off more like a cold, it is often not diagnosed right away until the more severe symptoms start. Many babies may not even present with a cough at all but they will have trouble breathing and may even turn blue. Others susceptible to the disease are those with immunocompromised conditions like cancer, have had any kind of organ transplant, or live with chronic conditions like asthma or other lung problems.1  However, most adults do not even know they have it since it starts out much like a cold. This is, however, the most vulnerable time thought at when they are contagious.

What are the different vaccines DTap, Tdap, and Td?

The vaccination given to babies to protect against this disease is called DTaP. This vaccine is licensed for children from 6 weeks to 6 years. It is to protect from Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis.  Five doses of this vaccine is given to children between 2 months and 6 years of age.  After that, one dose of Tdap is given at 10 years to 64 years.  This vaccine has a lower concentration of Diphtheria and Pertussis.  Every 10 years then, it is then recommended to get a Td vaccine as a booster. However, “Almost two-thirds of adults are not aware of their Tdap vaccination status, and thus cannot be sure they are able to prevent the spread of pertussis to a vulnerable newborn.”2   So how fair is it to vaccinate young babies, when contagious adults may be the ones exposing them to the disease?  On the other hand, if you have received your one dose of Tdap in your lifetime, how long does it protect you and others around you from Pertussis?

Think about it.  So once children get their 5 rounds of DTaP, they follow up and get only get one dose of Tdap in their lifetime.  After that, up through adulthood, they only receive Td boosters.  Notice there is no Pertussis in that vaccine?  Is the Tdap vaccine good for a lifetime?

The vaccine’s effectiveness is questioned

Before the 1990’s a different type of Pertussis vaccine called a “whole cell vaccine” was used.  It supposedly worked better but had really bad side effects.  So it was then changed to an “acellular” kind with lesser side effects.  In a study by New England Journal of Medicine they found that after the fifth dose of DTaP, the odds of acquiring whooping cough increased by an average of 42 percent per year.4  The Tdap is even less effective.  A study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics, investigated the “acelluar” vaccine’s effectiveness after more breakouts were reported. This study concluded that routine Tdap did not prevent pertussis outbreaks, Tdap provided moderate protection against pertussis during the first year and then waned rapidly so that little protection remained 2-3 years after vaccination.3  From this data researchers were able to figure out that in the first year after TdaP, its effectiveness is about 70%. By four years out, that protection is less than 10%.5

Peer reviewed data from professor of infectious diseases, Dr. Maxwell Witt, suggests that the current schedule of acellular pertussis vaccine doses is insufficient to prevent outbreaks of pertussis. They noted an increased rate of disease from age 8 through 12 and concluded that acellular vaccines have not been studied for clinical efficacy in north America and no studies exist on long term.6

Protection from Whooping Cough

As mentioned before, Whooping Cough is very contagious and you could even be an asymptomatic carrier and infect others.  If you suspect that you or your child may have Pertussis because you have had a cold accompanied with a cough for more than 2 weeks, the following protocols may help lessen symptoms and increase healing and repair time.

  • Wash your hands. It sounds so simple. But washing your hands is your number one protection against the acquisition and spread of infectious disease.  In public places, be sure to use a towel to open the door as you exit the bathroom.
  • Avoid dairy and keep hydrated to reduce mucus build up. As long as you keep the mucus moving, your baby should not get a secondary infection.  To remove mucus and snot buildup in an infant or toddler that can’t blow their nose, use a  NoseFrida®.  You can buy these at most stores.
  • Sleep with a humidifier at night and keep elevated slightly. You can tilt the baby’s mattress so it is elevated slightly (only about 10 degrees).
  • Vitamin C: Even the International Medical Council on Vaccination says most parents report a significant decrease in cough severity within the first 24 hours of proper oral doses.7 Powdered Vitamin C/ascorbic acid should be used and is easier to get in the higher doses as a powder.  An adult can take 5,000 to 10,000 mg a day.  Mix with water and spread throughout the day.  If you develop very loose bowels, this is a sign you may be taking too much.

When you first start to use ascorbate, the mucus may thin out quickly and the person coughing may bring up large quantities of mucus in the first 24 hours.8 That is a sign of success. For toddlers and children you can use 1,000 mg to 3,000 mg depending on weight.  Consult your experienced practitioner for accurate dosage.

Medical doctor Suzanne Humphries, co-author of Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History, has 19 years of experience and success with Vitamin C as a necessity for the immune system’s capability of fighting disease.  She recommends that when treating very young infants, it is important to have assistance from an experienced practitioner and close monitoring.

  • Vitamin D: Infants and toddlers can take 400 IU per day.  This will come in a liquid form (obviously) so be sure to read the ingredient label.  There are Vitamin D liquids out there with artificial sugars.  If the dropper is too hard to use, you can put a little on your finger and have the baby suck it off.  For a breastfeeding infant, you can put a little on your nipple before the baby feeds.

Adults can take 5,000 to 10,000 IU daily.  Be sure to get your Vitamin D status checked to know exactly how much you should be taking.

  • Probiotics: The first line of defense for the immune system is in the gut. For a children’s probiotic, find a kids probiotic at the health food store and take per package instructions. Spread these dosages throughout the day with meals. Do not take the full dose in one sitting.
  • Lauricidin will also support a strong immune defense. Derived from the coconut oil, Lauricidin has been shown to help fight fungal, yeast, bacterial, and viral illnesses.  For toddlers you can mix this with apple sauce to make it easier to swallow.  Adults can take 3 scoops per day.

The above recommended doses of supplements can be taken at the time when a virus or disease is spreading around your house, work, or your child’s daycare or school. What you may need on a daily basis will depend on other factors.  These nutritional deficiencies and toxicities can be discovered by testing a comprehensive blood analysis and hair tissue mineral analysis.  What your body needs will differ from what others may need.  It is important to get an individualized plan to make the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes that are optimal for your health.  If you are not healthy, how can you take care of others?  Call us to today to set up your consultation with an experienced nutritionist.

References

  1. Brown, Jennifer J. “10 Essential Facts About Whooping Cough.” EverydayHealth.com, Everyday Health, 30 June 2015, www.everydayhealth.com/news/10-essential-facts-about-whooping-cough/.
  2. Rettner, Rachael. Protected Against Whooping Cough?  Most Adults Don’t Know.  Live Science.  June 17, 2013.  https://www.livescience.com/37488-whooping-cough-vaccination-status-adults.html
  3. Klein, Nicola P., et al. “Waning Tdap Effectiveness in Adolescents.” Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics, 5 Feb. 2016, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/02/03/peds.2015-3326?sso=1&sso_redirect_count=2&nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3A%2BNo%2Blocal%2Btoken.
  4. Klein P. Nichola, et.al. Waning Protection after Fifth Dose of Acellular Pertussis Vaccine.   New England Journal of Medicine.  N Engl J Med 2012; 367:1012-1019.  September 13, 2012. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1200850
  5. McCarthy, MD Claire. “Protection from the TdaP Vaccine Doesn’t Last Very Long.” Harvard Health Blog, Harvard Health, 9 Feb. 2016, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/protection-from-the-tdap-vaccine-doesnt-last-very-long-201602099202.
  6. Witt et.al, 2012. “Unexpectedly Limited Durability of Immunity Following Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in Pre-Adolescents in a North American Outbreak.” Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Jun;54(12):1730-5. Epub 2012 Mar 15.
  7. Borreli, Lizette. “Whooping Cough Ain’t Much Fun: 3 Easy Ways To Prevent The Spread Of The Bacterial Disease.” Medical Daily, Newsweek Medical Group, 2 May 2014, www.medicaldaily.com/whooping-cough-aint-much-fun-3-easy-ways-prevent-spread-bacterial-disease-279990.
  8. Humphries, Suzanne. “Sodium Ascorbate/ Vitamin C Treatment of Whooping Cough. Suzanne Humphries, MD.” Suzanne Humphries, MD, 17 Oct. 2017, drsuzanne.net/2017/10/sodium-ascorbate-vitamin-c-treatment-of-whooping-cough-suzanne-humphries-md/#_ftnref4.

 

**References for this newsletter as well as previous newsletters may be found on our website.
  The information has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.