From the article: What Is Pertussis/Whooping Cough?
Whooping cough, or pertussis, is on the rise around the world. Although many people have been vaccinated against it, the vaccine may not provide lifelong protection and many people may need a booster. Have you or a loved one ever been diagnosed with whooping cough? If so, you know that it is not just another cough. Share your story and let others know how whooping cough affected you. Share Your Story
Misdiagnosed Whooping Cough
- As a nurse, you think I would have known I had whooping cough. I had the tell-tale "whooping" sound after nearly cracking my ribs and vomiting from coughing so hard. However, I mistakenly thought my childhood vaccine protected me against that. I was originally diagnosed by my physician as having bronchitis. One round of antibiotics did nothing to improve my cough. I went back to my physician and she determined I was experiencing an asthma exacerbation with bronchitis and started me on steroids and inhalers. After several more days without improvement, I went back yet again and described the coughing fit I had the night before. I was coughing so hard that I thought I would break my ribs. I had tears pouring down my face and started to dry heave, like I was going to vomit. Then I described my "whooping" sound. She diagnosed whooping cough and started me on heavy duty antibiotics and I'm just now starting to return to normal - 3 weeks later!
- —Angela_Morrow
