Whooping Cough at the Playa

[0mShantiLeigh]

With BM so close, I am beginning to get a bit paranoid about this highly contagious bacterial lung infection called Pertussis, aka Whooping Cough that is spreading like crazy. Everyone around me is sick with it and I am 99.9% sure many burners will have contracted this cough and may not realize it until they are deep into the playa dust. I am worried about the combination of the dust and the cough and how it could ruin the experience for many. I know antibiotics are helpful. My question is, will medical support teams have enough antibiotics available on the playa? I hope so.

[geekster]

You should have been vaccinated against it but you can get a booster shot at any age.

[Ugly Dougly]

Are you less likely to contract on the playa or in Defaultia?

[theCryptofishist]

They have a new booster out there, it's with tetnaus. This one should protect you for your adult life (or at least for a decade or two, until they can understand the long-term better.)
If you had hippy parents who wouldn't vaccinate you, consider it. Hard. This is a nasty illness.

[Token]

Cites please!

CDC Link?

[theCryptofishist]

Well I had the booster in June. But yeah, that was between me and my doctor, and I don't think it's a citable event. YOu can ignore my contribution.

The number of pertussis cases reported to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has increased substantially during 2010. The increase in cases was first noted in late March among patients admitted to a children's hospital. During January 1-- June 30, 2010, a total of 1,337 cases were reported, a 418% increase from the 258 cases reported during the same period in 2009. All cases either met the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists definitions for confirmed or probable pertussis or had an acute cough illness and Bordetella pertussis--specific nucleic acid detected by polymerase chain reaction from nasopharyngeal specimens

[Isotopia]

With BM so close, I am beginning to get a bit paranoid about this highly contagious bacterial lung infection called Pertussis, aka Whooping Cough that is spreading like crazy.

Then you probably shouldn't fucking go.

I'm afraid of of crashing meteor showers on the playa but I kept going. Stop with the Chicken Little Shit and either go or don't.

Hope that helps.

[mudpuppy000]

[0mShantiLeigh]

[quote="Ugly Dougly"]Are you less likely to contract on the playa or in Defaultia?[/quote]

I am no scientist, but I would guess you are less likely to contract it on the playa because of the alkaline environment.

[motskyroonmatick]

The playa is no place to treat diseases except those of the heart and occasionally mind. It is also good for psoriasis but the positive effects are temporary. Swift and steady application of heavy throttle is the treatment action for anything that is of substantial concern.

Damn I can't believe I spelled psoriasis right the first time!

[0mShantiLeigh]

Then you probably shouldn't fucking go.

I'm afraid of of crashing meteor showers on the playa but I kept going. Stop with the Chicken Little Shit and either go or don't.

Hope that helps.

Unfortunately, we are much less likely to be struck by a meteor at burning man (a quick nearly painless death), but it is very probable to become miserably ill--and no one wants to spend their time at BM not feeling well. In my post, there was no debate about "going" or "not going". My reason for posting this message is to get valuable information to be better prepared to help myself and others in case of emergency. I hope you have a strong immune system.

[theCryptofishist]

1.337 cases in California.

Wiki has the 2009 population of California as "36,961,664."
Round numbers are a little easier to work with, so say 35 million.

1,337/35,000,000 = ~0.0004.
Or 0.004%
Um. That's about in the same realm of possibility as being kidnapped by a mad elk and taken to fairyland.

[theCryptofishist]

Okay, those numbers are totally fake, because not all Californians are children.

I wonder how many of those children were "Mumsy's precious darling who don't get a nasty vaccine. No, no."

[0mShantiLeigh]

Thanks Cryptofish, you have eased my worries. But their is some lung hacking bacterial infection spreading to all my co-workers and family. Because of the hype on the news about Whooping Cough, I assumed that is what is was.

[dj_john69]

I'd be more worried about playa pussy

[capjbadger]

AKA "Gritty Kitty"

-Badger

[ygmir]

AKA "Gritty Kitty"

-Badger

I guess that'd call for "clitty litter"?..........

[C.f.M.]

I don't have anything to say except ha ha ha ha! You guys are so funny.

Just bring one of these,



and you'll be fine.

[youtube][/youtube]

[Elderberry]

Thanks Cryptofish, you have eased my worries. But their is some lung hacking bacterial infection spreading to all my co-workers and family. Because of the hype on the news about Whooping Cough, I assumed that is what is was.

If you are truly that concerned GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND ASK HIM. Posting here will do you absolutely no good, and nor will speculating about your friend's maladies. Your DOCTOR will give you the best advice for YOU and suggest vaccination or booster shots if deemed necessary.

End of story.

JK

[capjbadger]

AKA "Gritty Kitty"

-Badger

I guess that'd call for "clitty litter"?..........

In my mind's eye, that shit is glittery like you've never seen, but my god does it clump for scooping!

-Badger

[geekster]

Okay, those numbers are totally fake, because not all Californians are children.

I wonder how many of those children were "Mumsy's precious darling who don't get a nasty vaccine. No, no."

Yeah, that is a growing problem that places the general population at risk. People just aren't getting vaccinated against common illnesses that are extremely contagious and it is a very emotional issue for many.

The problem is that I generally don't have a problem with allowing people to do stupid things but this is an instance where a person getting sick with someone can spread it to others and so they become a menace to community health in general.

One of the riskiest things people are exposed to out there is their own shower / mister water. If the water sits in a barrel in the warm sun and the water inside is exposed to the regular dust and dirt in the air, bacteria will explode in that water. You then breathe droplets from the mist and the bacteria get in your lungs. That barrel of shower water is often not treated with anything nor does it get over 130 degrees which would kill most harmful bacteria. A pound and a half of bromine tablets is about $10. Drop one tablet in the barrel and you will be fine and it doesn't have a smell. DO NOT use bromine for drinking water, though.

[LostinReno]

With BM so close, I am beginning to get a bit paranoid about this highly contagious bacterial lung infection called Pertussis, aka Whooping Cough that is spreading like crazy. Everyone around me is sick with it and I am 99.9% sure many burners will have contracted this cough and may not realize it until they are deep into the playa dust. I am worried about the combination of the dust and the cough and how it could ruin the experience for many. I know antibiotics are helpful. My question is, will medical support teams have enough antibiotics available on the playa? I hope so.

I guess I shouldn't mention the bird flu they've detected in the local mosquito's??

Last year the big scare was the swine flu...to my knowledge no one I know contracted it out there. Let see before that....SARS???..the list goes on. This might be a good costume option for you.

[geekster]

Won't work. No helmet.

[Simon of the Playa]

[youtube][/youtube]

[misfit]

From what I know, the problem is in CA but since most burners come from CA it could indeed pose a problem. Pertussis takes about 1-2 weeks to really kick in, so it's unlikely to pose a problem on playa- more likely that people would go home and get sick. It also affects infants WAY more than adults, but adults could certainly be vectors.. If your worried, you can always get a booster. Best prevention there is. As for abx on playa, Septra is commonly prescribed for Pertussis and REMSA has plenty.
Hope that helps...........