Whooping cough cases remain at an “unprecedented” level, Chief Campus Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman said Tuesday in a briefing with campus media. Van Orman said Student Health hasn’t had a month this academic year without seeing new whooping cough cases and encouraged students to get tested for the bacterial infection if they experience a steadily worsening cough. 

“In the beginning [whooping cough] looks like any other viral illness. … What’s unusual about it is that it lasts,” Van Orman said. “If people have a cough that’s persisting, particularly if that cough is getting worse, if they’re feeling like they’re coughing to the point where it’s difficult to catch their breath, or they feel like they want to vomit — those are all signs to come in and get tested.”

When Student Health is notified of a new case of whooping cough, Van Orman said it works with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health to identify anyone who was exposed. Those exposed to whooping cough can be given antibiotics to prevent the development of the infection.

Van Orman advised students to update their tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis vaccine, which protects against whooping cough, if they last received it over a decade ago.

“Many people will have gotten their TDAP right around 11 or 12. So, that means that if you’re in your early 20s, you’re reaching that 10-year mark,” Van Orman said. “I encourage students, if you’re getting to the end of that period … go ahead and get a booster.” 

With the arrival of spring, Van Orman said USC is “out of the flu season.” Influenza and other respiratory viruses cases are on the decline, and gastrointestinal illnesses such as norovirus — while still elevated — are declining as well, she said. 

Van Orman said the surge in influenza and norovirus after spring break represented the final “peak” of upper respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses at USC this academic year, but encouraged students to maintain their respiratory hygiene. 

“This isn’t a time of year where we see a lot of illnesses. But I always remind people, upper respiratory viruses, as well as intestinal viruses, are year-round, so you can always get one,” Van Orman said. “As always, wash your hands, cover your cough.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that Southern Californians will see temperatures “10 to 15 degrees above average for this time of year” this Thursday and Friday, with the temperature in L.A. forecasted to be in the 80s. Van Orman reminded students to apply sunscreen regularly, particularly while swimming, and to wear sun-protective clothing.

“I encourage people to wear sun protection every day, especially if you’re walking around campus,” Van Orman said. “You may think ‘It’s only 15 – 20 minutes,’ but that is sun exposure, so daily sunscreen, particularly on the face and in the exposed areas, as well as on the back of the hands, and wearing a hat when you’re out and about.”

Van Orman said it takes the body about two weeks for the body to acclimate to a temperature change, meaning heat-related illnesses and exhaustion are more common when people push themselves too hard during a drastic temperature spike. Van Orman encouraged students to stay hydrated and be patient as their bodies adapt to the warmer weather.

“I just caution everybody, even if you’re in good shape, if you’re suddenly doing strenuous activity in a much warmer climate — or much, much warmer than you’re used to — you need to be really cautious and make sure you’re taking breaks, staying hydrated and just recognizing it’s going to take you a couple weeks until you feel more comfortable,” Van Orman said.