Advertisement

Readers React: Her lingering bad cough turned out to be pertussis. Get vaccinated

A middle school student after receiving a vaccine against whooping cough in 2012.
A middle school student after receiving a vaccine against whooping cough in 2012.
(Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
Share

To the editor: Imagine my surprise as a 67-year-old when I tested positive for pertussis. (“Harvard-Westlake students were vaccinated. Dozens caught whooping cough anyway,” March 16.)

I went in for what I thought was lingering bad bronchitis. Nope, it was whooping cough. I am retired and, except for grocery stores and such, I am not around children or young adults during my day. So who knows where I got this?

What’s important here is that adults need to be cognizant that this is not just a kid’s disease and need to be up to date on their vaccines. Plus, you need to see a doctor if you have a bad cough that lingers. Adults could inadvertently be spreading it by not taking these precautions.

Advertisement

As soon as I’m completely over this, I’m getting the vaccination. I don’t want this ever again.

Mary Edwards, Camarillo

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook

Advertisement