Pertussis in my 30s

I was diagnosed with pertussis as an adult, while I was in my 30s. We think of whooping cough as a disease that kids get, but it's not true. I was extremely ill for several months, missing one whole month of work during my illness. It was a frightening experience coughing so severely and being unable to catch my breath.

I burst blood vessels in my eyes because I coughed so severely. 

I lost 10 pounds over two months.

For weeks I had to be extra careful to not be anywhere where kids, and especially newborns, would be. This included my friends who had babies who were too young to be vaccinated.

This is why I support vaccinations - to help prevent others from having to experience this.