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Whooping cough cases rise on campus

Cases of whooping cough, or Pertussis, have been reported on the Stonehill College campus, according to the Stonehill Office of Health Services.


According to the CDC, Pertussis, or whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory illness which is caused by bacteria in the respiratory system. This causes a cough that can last for weeks or even months.


An email was sent out by Maria Sullivan, the director of health services and Monique Avila, the family nurse practitioner. It details what whooping cough is, how it can be prevented, and what to do if you experience symptoms.


“Like respiratory viruses, the pertussis bacteria spreads through coughing, sneezing, or breathing very close to someone. Sometimes, it can spread by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose, eyes, or mouth,” said Sullivan.


One prevention measure put in place at Stonehill is that students are required to have an up-to-date Tdap vaccination, which targets tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis. Bordetella pertussis, a similar bacterium, is the bacteria that causes whooping cough.


“Stonehill College requires students to have an up-to-date Tdap vaccination due to the communal nature of student life. The immunization status of students is verified before they arrive for their first semester at Stonehill,” Sullivan and Avila wrote in an earlier campus-wide email.


The Tdap vaccination needs to be taken every 10 years. Since the vaccine is usually administered at the age of 11, it is important to check your immunization records to make sure you are up to date.


“Since children receive Tdap at age 11 or 12, students who approach their 21st birthday should get an updated Tdap vaccine,” said Sullivan


Finding your immunization records can be done by contacting your health provider or checking your immunization record on the Stonehill Health Portal. The portal can be accessed through myHill.


Treating whooping cough early helps prevent the bacteria from progressing.


“The illness typically begins with cold symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and a dry cough, which last for one or two weeks,” wrote Sullivan and Avila.


There are multiple pharmacies near Stonehill College that administer the Tdap vaccine.


“Your PCP may or may not administer Tdap vaccines, but many surrounding local pharmacies have Tdap vaccines available,” said Sullivan.

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