November 18, 2011
Dear Students/Faculty and Administrators:
Nassau County Department of Health notified Adelphi University today that they received a report concerning a student that has a probable diagnosis of pertussis (whooping cough). As you may have heard in the media there have been multiple cases reported in our region.
Pertussis is a highly contagious disease involving the respiratory tract. It is caused by a bacterium that is found in the mouth, nose and throat of an infected person. The disease begins as a mild upper respiratory infection. Initially, symptoms resemble those of a common cold, including sneezing, runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. Within two weeks, the cough becomes more severe and is characterized by episodes of numerous rapid coughs followed by a crowing or high pitched whoop. A thick, clear mucous may be discharged. These episodes may recur for one to two months, and are more frequent at night. Older people or partially immunized children generally have milder symptoms.
Pertussis is primarily spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of infected individuals.
Infants under one year old, especially those under six months, are most likely to have severe symptoms if they develop pertussis. When possible, young infants should be kept away from people with a cough. Infants with any cough illness should be seen promptly by their doctor.
Recently, a new pertussis containing vaccine formulated for children over age 7 years and adults has become available. If you have not received the new vaccine for pertussis you may wish to contact your health care provider regarding this matter for more information.
If you develop cold symptoms that include a cough, please contact a health care provider and advise them that you may have been exposed to pertussis.
New York State Department of Health’s Fact Sheet on Pertussis
Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Health Services Center
Waldo Hall
Adelphi University
P.O. Box 701
Garden City, NY 11530-0701
p - 516.877.6000
f - 516.877.6008
This page was last modified on November 21, 2011.
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