Whooping cough (pertussis) is very contagious. 

Whooping cough is a very contagious respiratory illness that spreads from person to person and is known for causing uncontrollable, violent coughing, which can make it hard to breathe. It spreads when people cough or sneeze near others, who then proceed to breathe in the pertussis bacteria. Symptoms can appear between seven and 20 days after exposure. They include:  

• Runny or stuffed-up nose  
• Fever  
• Persistent cough and violent coughing fits 

For most people, the illness is disruptive and uncomfortable, but not life-threatening. If you are experiencing symptoms of whooping cough, you should call UHS at 608-265-5600 to speak with a nurse. Urgent medical advice is also available after hours and on the weekends by calling 608-265-5600 (option 1). 

If you experience a minor cough that does not interfere with sleeping or activities, you likely have a viral upper respiratory infection and not pertussis.   

Vaccines help keep you safe from getting severely sick from whooping cough. 

Getting the recommended vaccines lessen your chances of ever getting sick with whooping cough. If you do get sick, your illness won’t be as severe as if you were unvaccinated. Whooping cough vaccines are recommended for children, teens, and adults, including college students.  

There are two types of vaccines that protect against whooping cough, and which ones you receive depends on age: 

• Children younger than 7 years old get the diptheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) vaccine. 

• Teens and adults get the tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine. This is usually recommended around age 11 or 12. 

Check your vaccination record to see if you received the above vaccinations. Students who are unvaccinated can call UHS at 608-265-5600 to schedule an appointment to receive the Tdap vaccine. Even if you have the pertussis vaccination, if you experience symptoms, you should contact UHS. 

Help us prevent the spread of whooping cough. 

Practice good hygiene. Stay at home and away from others if you are sick. When coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or cough into your sleeve. Wash your hands often.  

Remember, UHS is here to support your health all semester long. We continue to monitor infectious disease trends as we head into respiratory virus season and encourage everyone to stay up-to-date on their vaccines, including COVID-19 and flu vaccinations, which are now available at campus-wide clinics.  

Research shows that there are many barriers to TGNC communities accessing health care including stigma, structural discrimination, and lack of knowledge of trans health by providers in health care settings. At UHS, we collaborate with the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) to help better meet the needs of historically underrepresented communities. By listening to members of TGNC communities and following their lead, we are working to understand the impact of oppression on health care disparities and actively work to eliminate bias in the delivery of health care.  

UHS works to overcome barriers of care for TGNC students by providing trans health services that support both physical and mental wellbeing. One of the services provided at UHS is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). To receive HRT, students undergo an informed consent process that ensures they receive education about HRT and understand the risks and benefits. Providers help students make the best decision for themselves by centering the patient’s gender identity, helping students understand the impacts of HRT and surgery, and creating a treatment plan.  

Starting HRT through informed consent is a journey. A student and UHS provider make a roadmap together, centering the student’s medical goals and concerns at every step of the way. UHS accepts students wherever they are in their journey and work to support them in starting or accessing gender affirming medical care. There is no right or wrong way to start HRT. 

To talk with a provider about starting hormones, continuing hormones, or getting a letter for surgery, students can book an initial appointment with a trans health provider through MyUHS or by calling 608-265-5600. From the first appointment, students and health care providers will create a care plan, discuss medical goals, answer questions, and talk through the next steps. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments and care with a UHS provider will be scheduled three, six and 12 months apart.   

Together, our campus celebrates Pride Month and uplifts TGNC and LGBTQ+ communities. At UHS, we support and affirm the decisions individuals make about their health care, and we will continuously strive to improve the care we provide. For more information on Pride activities on campus and in the community, see the UW-Madison Pride Month news release.