It is known as whooping cough, a respiratory disorder that is very contagious and very serious for newborns. For this reason, one of the most effective methods of preventing a baby from getting sick from said respiratory disorder is to vaccinate the mother while she is pregnant; in this way, the antibodies reach the fetus thanks to the placenta.
When a child under six months of age, especially between 2 and 3 months of age, is affected by whooping cough, significant complications can be. In most cases, hospitalization is necessary. This is why it became essential to prevent this situation, and it was shown that a very effective way to do it is by vaccinating women who will become mothers. If you want to know more about this, at FastlyHealwe inform you all about the pertussis vaccine in pregnancy: reactions and side effects.
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What is the pertussis vaccine for during pregnancy?
It is highly recommended to get the pertussis vaccine, also called Tdap, during pregnancy because it has two primary purposes that are it protects both the mother and the unborn child. When the child goes out into the outside world, they are faced with many factors that can put their health at risk, and they have not developed the necessary protection to stop them so that it can be very serious or even fatal.
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can be detected late as it initially has the same symptoms as a common cold; however, unlike this, whooping cough usually causes very violent, rapid, and constant coughing episodes for a few weeks, which causes the patient to have to make a more significant effort to breathe and causes a wheezing.
Despite the above, coughing may not be a frequent symptom in newborn children, but pauses can be detected during breathing. This makes it even more difficult to diagnose it in time, so it is essential to consult regularly with the pediatrician if the vaccine against this pathology is not administered.
If you find yourself pregnant, it is highly recommended that you get the pertussis vaccine, but it is essential to consult a doctor first. Generally, it is recommended that this injection be given between weeks 27 and 36 of gestation, although it is preferable between weeks 28 and 32. On the other hand, it is important to know that the vaccine must be repeated in all pregnancies, regardless of when it was administered. The most recent dose against tetanus or if it has been applied in previous pregnancies since the antibodies of the vaccine must reach the fetus because they do not occur naturally in the mother.
Phases and symptoms of whooping cough
To begin with, the first phase of whooping cough is incubation, which comprises one or two weeks before the symptoms of the disease begin, so during this time, both a baby and any patient will not notice any changes in their body.
The second phase is the beginning. You will begin to feel different symptoms that, generally, are related to a typical cold; that is, a mild and slightly irritating cough appears. Then, there is the fierce state phase, in which the cough is more potent and more annoying and causes difficulties in breathing normally.
While in the third and final phase, the symptoms gradually disappear; However, it is essential to pay attention to those children who still have a cough after being treated, as they could suffer the disease again or become more severe.
Among the most frequent symptoms of whooping cough is a solid and dry cough, vomiting, diarrhea, the skin turning a bluish color, there may be asphyxia or other respiratory difficulties, rhinorrhea, fever, and runny nose.
In addition to the above, numerous complications could arise, including ear infections, pneumonia, cerebral hemorrhage, brain damage caused by asphyxia, sleep apneas, intellectual disabilities due to the lack of oxygen delivery to the brain, and newborn babies; it can also lead to death.
By consulting the Whooping article cough: contagion, symptoms, and treatment, you can expand this information.
Reactions and Side Effects of Pertussis Vaccine in Pregnancy
The pertussis vaccine is highly recommended for pregnant women due to its high effectiveness and its level of safety both at any time of life and in any situation; However, Tdap, like most drugs, can have some side effects, although these are very rare and do not affect a child’s health at all. Among them, the following stand out:
- Redness in the area where the vaccine was applied.
- Inflammation.
- Discomfort and sensitivity at the application site.
- In very few cases, episodes of fever, fatigue, and body aches may occur, but in no case can you get pertussis if you get the Tdap vaccine.
Despite being a very safe and recommended product, its application is not suggested for those women who are allergic to any of the components of the pertussis vaccine. For this, it is essential to consult a doctor before administering.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Pertussis vaccine in pregnancy: reactions and side effects, we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.