The Woodbury Medical Group is located
in the Hoag Health Center at the
Woodbury Town Center, on the corner
of Sand Canyon and Irvine Blvd.
may not always be very much fun!
To make it easier on you and your loved ones you can check how many people are currently waiting for urgent care, before you even come to the
office. Just visit our
new Facebook
page for the
latest update.
Language Interpretation Many health plans provide language interpretation services to help you make an appointment. More >>
Having trouble sleeping? You are not alone. Find out what steps you can take to get a good nite's sleep. More >>
Price Waterhouse Coopers PWC interviews Woodbury Medical Group's own Dr. Felix Horng as an expert about healthcare access. More >>
6340 Irvine Boulevard
Irvine, California 92620
Phone: 949-559-6500
Mon - Fri 8AM to 8PM
Sat - Sun 8AM to 5PM
Pertussis, commonly referred to as whooping cough, is an extremely contagious respiratory tract infection. In the beginning stages, pertussis may appear similar to an ordinary cold. However, it may eventually turn more serious, especially for an infant.
Current Status: The CDC has reported a state-wide epidemic of whooping cough for the state of California. If you are unsure whether or not your child has been vaccinated, please check with your doctor. If you are an adult or have teenagers you would like to receive the booster shot, please contact your doctor’s office and ask for an appointment to receive a Tdap vaccine.
Contagious: Pertussis is the most contagious before the coughing even begins. It is most contagious in the early, runny-nose stage but can remain contagious for the first 3 weeks. Symptoms may appear 6-21 days after exposure. After 5 days on an effective antibiotic treatment, pertussis is no longer contagious.
Symptoms of Pertussis: Early symptoms of pertussis are similar to a cold, with runny nose; sneezing and coughing that may progress to a persistent coughing. Fits of coughing may be followed by a gasp for air (whooping). Coughing attacks may also lead to vomiting. Pertussis can last for 6-10 weeks. However, older children, adults and very young infants may not develop the whoop.
Prevention: The spread of pertussis to children can be prevented with a vaccination called DTap, which is a routine childhood vaccination, although state requirements for the vaccine vary. For young adults and adults, there is a booster vaccine called Tdap, which is commonly given to prevent tetanus, but also prevents whooping cough and diphtheria.
Who should get the vaccine?
ADULTS:
A single dose of Tdap is recommended for people 11-64 years of age. The CDC recommends the following adults/adolescents get a Tdap vaccine:
- If you are less than 65 years of age and have not had a pertussis-containing vaccine as an adult
- If you have close contact with children less than one year old and you have not had a pertussis-containing vaccine as an adult or an adolescent
- You have not had at least 3 tetanus and diphtheria-containing shots
- You have had 3 or more tetanus and diphtheria-containing shots but it has been more than 10 years since the last one
- You have no idea if you have ever had a tetanus and diphtheria-containing shot in your lifetime
CHILDREN:
The CDC recommends that children get five doses of the DTap vaccine according to the following schedule:
- At 2 months
- At 4 months
- At 6 months
- Between 15 and 18 months
- Between 4 and 6 years
The CDC recommends that the following children NOT get a DTap vaccine, or should wait:
- Children who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they recover to receive the vaccine
- Any child who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a pervious dose of DTap
- Any child who suffered a brain or nervous system disease within 7 days after a dose of DTap
- Talk with your doctor if your child:
- Had a seizure or collapsed after a dose of DTap
- Cried non-stop for 3 hours or more after a dose of DTap
- Had a fever of 105 degrees or more after a dose of DTap