This post in in honor of my close friend's cousin Francesca Marie McNally, who died from Pertussis, a preventable illness at 2 months old and was buried this week .
Fanny McNally February 24, 2012- May 17, 2012
Francesca died of Whooping Cough or Pertussis, an illness that is preventable though a vaccine. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis
According to the CDC :
Pertussis (whooping cough) can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening complications in infants and young children, especially those who are not fully vaccinated.
In infants younger than 1 year of age who get pertussis, more than half must be hospitalized. The younger the infant, the more likely treatment in the hospital will be needed. Of those infants who are hospitalized with pertussis about:
1 in 5 get pneumonia (lung infection)
1 in 100 will have convulsions (violent, uncontrolled shaking)
Half will have apnea (slowed or stopped breathing)
1 in 300 will have encephalopathy (disease of the brain)
1 in 100 will die
Adults and older children can unknowingly pass this on to babies that do not have enough immunity from vaccinations if they have not been properly vaccinated.
THIS CAN ALL BE PREVENTED
WITH A SIMPLE VACCINE
Every 10 year you needs to get a Pertussis booster (Tdap- tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis) in order for the vaccine to be effective against the illness.
I was given the shot by my midwife after I gave birth and I think that this should be the norm to prevent the spread to children regardless of your views of vaccinating children. (She also was going to give it to my husband Mr. BBH, but since he works in the medical field, he was up-to-date on his shots.)
If only they sent reminders like I get for my dog's shots- "due for the TDaP shot" on this certain date.
Plus, if you don't want to go to the Doctor, you can also get vaccinated at many CVS minute clinics, or your local Heath Department Office.
The Franny Strong Foundation was created in memory of this beautiful little girl.
Please talk to your Doctor or go to your local Health Department Clinic for the Pertussis Vaccine TODAY in Franny's memory.
was she too young to be vaccinated? Does the family know where she contracted this?
ReplyDeleteYes she would have been too young to have the vaccine, the first vaccine is at 8 weeks, by then little Franny would have already had pertussis.
DeleteI think the sibling and a patent had it first.
ReplyDeleteMost adults aren't fully vaccinated either because the CDC didn't tell us. I'm 52 and I got it last fall. I can't even imagine a poor newborn having it. As parents and Grandparents we need to be vaccinated also to protect our children and grandchildren... So sorry for your friend's loss. They offer one to the new moms-to-be hear in Utah during prenatal care and the dads. At least the baby is covered a little bit.
ReplyDeleteI was given the shot by my midwife after I gave birth. She also was going to give it to my husband Mr. BBH, but since he works in the medical field, he was up-to-date on his shots.
ReplyDeleteIf only they sent reminders like I get for my dog "due for the TDaP shot" on this certain date.
Where can I get one of the green Pertussis awareness bands featured in thea bove picture? cheryltylenda@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteClick on the link to the Franny Strong Foundation. You should be able to get one from them.
ReplyDelete