WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - As we head into cold and flu season, pneumonia and whopping cough are spreading in Massachusetts, particularly among school-age children. Baystate responds to video of patient left outside Springfield hospital unattended 22News spoke with the Supervisor of Health and Safety of Westfield Public Schools, and she said they have seen an increase in these respiratory illnesses in the local schools and community. Pertussis, commonly known as "whooping cough" is a "highly contagious acute respiratory illness" that starts with mild symptoms that develop into a severe cough, or even vomiting. Initial symptoms include a runny nose, mild fever, and cough. It spreads easily from person to person through coughing and sneezing. If left untreated, whooping cough can turn into pneumonia. While antibiotics can treat the infection, vaccines are the best way to prevent it. "TDAP or DTAP is usually given to infants starting at two months old so they can't get it before that, and then you should get boosters every 10 years, once you're fully vaccinated as a teenager," said Fawne St. Pierre MSN, RN, Supervisor of Health & Safety of Westfield Public Schools. Westfield Public Schools are telling students to wash their hands often, cover their mouths when they cough or sneeze, sanitize shared surfaces, and stay home if they're sick. Again, vaccines are the best protection against infection, so it's important to stay up to date with vaccinations. If you or your child has any symptoms of respiratory infection, contact your primary care physician for proper treatment. Local News Headlines Rabies suspected in raccoons in Northampton, Easthampton Local schools see increase in respiratory illnesses One person dies in Greenfield house fire on Silver Street PetSmart Charities helps to improve accessible veterinary care at Dakin Humane Society WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.