I have an allergy to the Dtap too. I had swelling from it that was so bad that after my 1 year shot I couldn't walk for several days. The last time I got one I was 18 and about to go to college. They did my boosters in half doses given several weeks apart until then but I had so much swelling that time I was told further boosters are dangerous and I should only have them in an ER.


I did catch pertussis when I was working in home health. I had a patient diagnosed with "pneumonia" with the strangest, most awful cough I'd ever heard. I had to keep stopping our appointment to let her catch her breath and get a drink. A few weeks later I had a runny nose I thought was seasonal allergies and then I found myself coughing so hard I threw up and had to leave work. I was really, really sick for a week and recovering for a few months. I still have asthma as a souvenir.