I had all the shots and all the boosters growing up, but it didn't keep me from getting whooping cough when I was in Spain, around 1998. Everybody in our family got it, except Woodie. We did the rounds of antibiotics, and ate yogurt to keep our natural intestinal "flora" going, and to avoid teeth problems that sometimes happen when giving antibiotics to small children. The doctor told us to get lots of sunshine, drink plenty of water and juices, and to stay in on windy days. Our only source of income at the time was singing, and it was pretty bad. All it took was a small tickle in the throat, and I launched into great spasms of coughing that might last for up to half an hour. I'm sure it was very inspiring for the people in the restaurants and bars we were singing to.

The symptoms lasted months. And that really awful cough came was there -- albeit briefly -- every time any of us got a cough for several years after that! We're all fine now, thank God. I wish you all a much milder case, along with a speedier recovery!