Whooping Cough Exposure & MDS??

[wilmasdaughter]

My 89 year old mother had MDS diagnosed about a year ago, IPSS Int - I. This past week, she was 'exposed' to whooping cough via my granddaughter, who had a classmate come down with it (subsequently, the entire class has to stay home for 5 days and get pertussin). I have a call in to her hematologist to see what "symptoms and signs" I need to watch for.

Has anyone had any experience with MDS and whooping cough (aka pertussis)? I am sure that her risk is increased because of her MDS. Not sure they will do anything other than ask me to keep an eye on her for any flu-like symptoms.

[Neil Cuadra]

Coughing is the primary symptom of pertussis. You should certainly watch for coughing, vomiting, or any symptoms your mother hasn't had before, and alert the doctor immediately if they show up. Pertussis would be bad news for your mother because you told us in another thread that she has had lung disease.

However, since your granddaughter was not symptomatic when she was with your mother, there's a good chance that your mother is safe. Symptoms of pertussis show up about a week after exposure, and it is usually spread when someone with pertussis coughs or sneezes near someone else.

To be cautious I think it's important that you track what happens to your granddaughter. If your granddaughter develops no symptoms within a week of her own exposure, you're presumably in the clear. If your granddaughter does develop symptoms within a week that's a red flag that your mother may have been exposed. Your mother's doctor may want to give her antibiotics prophylactically, but that may not be necessary unless your granddaughter shows symptoms. It doesn't hurt to ask the doctor now.

Your mother's Intermediate-1 IPSS score applies more to her risk of disease progression than to her current risk of infection. Is her white count normal or low? Do you know her absolute neutrophil count (ANC)? Is she undergoing immunosuppressant treatment? (I'm assuming not at her age.) Those answers will give you an idea of her susceptibility to this type of opportunistic infection.

Mark the calendar to note when your granddaughter was exposed and when your mother was potentially exposed. Each non-symptomatic day that goes by is good news!

[Joan]

Jil;

Sorry to read of this exposure to your mom. Hope your granddaughter doesn't get it and thus didn't infect your mother. Hang in there.