>>There is some discussion that perhaps adults should continue to get Pertusss
>>vaccine with their adult tetanus/diptheria boosters to help reduce the
>>incidence of Pertussis,

I developed pertussis in the second trimester of my second pregnancy in
1979. It was NOT pleasant.  I coughed enough to develop contractions and was
placed on codeine and honey (which worked well).  When my son had his first
dpt innoculation he reacted extremely strongly and it was suggested it was
due to maternal antibodies.  He received DT without the pertussis and did
fine.  When he was 18 months old he had the pertussis without a problem.  I
have often wondered if the suggestion was correct  and if breastfeeding
played a part (he was breastfeeding at the later age as well).  His reaction
was frightening enough that I feel that mothers should be asked if they had
the disease while pregnant in case of sensitization. My first son, who was
still breastfeeding while I was ill, did not develop the disease, although
it was rampent in the community.
--"Without interest and passion nothing great has ever happened in history.
Hegel"
               Rhoda Taylor, B.A., IBCLC   Duncan, B.C., Canada--