Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
As we head into the cold and flu season, we are seeing an increase in cases of various respiratory illnesses and other seasonal ailments. These include COVID, strep throat, atypical pneumonia “walking pneumonia,” sinus infections, common colds and other viral and bacterial illnesses.
Additionally, four members of our community were recently diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough. These individuals are undergoing the standard course of treatment, which includes antibiotics and rest. Anyone who has had close and prolonged contact has been notified as part of the Onondaga County Health Department’s contact tracing efforts.
Consistent with state and national trends, Onondaga County has seen an increase in reported pertussis cases in 2024 compared to prior years. Below, I am including a Q&A that provides responses to some of the most frequently asked questions about pertussis.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pertussis is a contagious respiratory illness that often presents as a common cold. The condition is known by a “whooping” sound when a person gasps for air following a coughing fit.
The CDC says early symptoms can last between one and two weeks and include the following:
Complications of pertussis are more common in infants, young children and pregnant people. For most adults, the illness is disruptive and uncomfortable, but not life-threatening.
The bacteria that causes pertussis is spread through the droplets released into the air when an infected individual sneezes or coughs. For pertussis to spread, an individual must have close, prolonged contact with an infected individual.
According to the CDC, some people have mild symptoms and don’t know they have pertussis but can still spread the bacteria to others. People can spread the bacteria from the start of symptoms and for at least two weeks after coughing begins.
The most effective tool against pertussis is vaccination, commonly referred to as Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis). Being vaccinated will not prevent you from getting pertussis but will limit the impact of the symptoms. Additionally, we recommend employing good health practices to help prevent the spread of communicable illnesses, including the following:
To learn more about what illnesses are going around, please visit the Barnes Center website. And to learn more about how to prevent, detect and treat pertussis, please visit the CDC website.
Sincerely,
Dr. Karen Nardella
Medical Director, Syracuse University Barnes Center, Health
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