Pertussis
Since October 10th, 2024, twelve students on the CAS campus have been diagnosed with pertussis, also known as “whooping cough.” All students who have tested positive were prescribed antibiotic treatment if indicated and advised to isolate while on their antibiotic. There have been no serious cases leading to hospitalization during this outbreak.
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory bacterial infection that is treated with antibiotics and isolation. As with other respiratory illnesses, pertussis is spread to others by air and droplets when infected people cough or sneeze. Cases are most severe in infants.
What you need to know:
Pertussis typically progresses through three stages:
- Early symptoms (weeks one to two): mild cold symptoms (like a runny nose, low grade elevated temperature less than 100.4F, and an intermittent dry cough)
- Later symptoms (weeks two to six): persistent cough typically with uncontrollable coughing fits, sometimes resulting in vomiting or broken ribs due to intensity of coughing
- Gradual recovery (weeks six to ten): gradual resolution of coughing
You are most contagious during the first three weeks of symptoms.
- Wear a mask
- Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Wash your hands often
- Seek medical evaluation, especially if you have been exposed to someone with pertussis in the past three weeks
-
Legacy GoHealth - Lake Oswego
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OHSU Immediate Care - S Waterfront
- ZoomCare - Multiple locations
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Kaiser - Available only to those with Kaiser Insurance
- Take your entire antibiotic course
- Isolate in place until you finish your antibiotic course
- Alert the Student Health Center of your positive test
Note: Coughing may persist beyond completion of an antibiotic course, but you are considered NO LONGER at that point.
- Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after your roommate finishes their antibiotic
- Seek medical evaluation to discuss postexposure prophylaxis (antibiotics prescribed to prevent further spread or severe complications for people at high risk)
Now is a good time to check your pertussis vaccination status. If you have never received a Tdap vaccine, contact your local pharmacy to get vaccinated.
For more information:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/index.html.
Oregon Health Authority: www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Pages/fs-pertussis.aspx.
Health Center is located in Fowler Student Center on the Undergraduate Campus.
MSC: 133
email health@lclark.edu
voice 503-768-7165
fax 503-768-7167
Health Center
Lewis & Clark
615 S. Palatine Hill Road
Portland OR 97219