If you’ve stepped into a grocery store in Seattle or Spangle lately, you’ve probably heard it. That deep, rattling cough that seems to echo through the aisles. Or maybe you're the one currently staring at a thermometer, wondering why your "simple cold" feels like you got hit by a Freightliner.
Honestly, the "tripledemic" talk from a few years ago feels like old news, but the reality on the ground in the Evergreen State is actually getting weirder. It isn’t just one bug. It’s a messy, overlapping cocktail of respiratory viruses and some surprising "comeback" infections that are catching people off guard.
If you're asking what sickness is going around Washington state 2024, you aren't just looking for a list. You're looking for why your neighbor has been hacking for three weeks and why the local urgent care has a four-hour wait.
The Whooping Cough Surge No One Saw Coming
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the "whoop" in the room.
Pertussis, better known as whooping cough, has absolutely exploded. We aren’t talking about a small uptick. According to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), cases in 2024 surged by a staggering 25-fold compared to 2023. By the end of the year, we were looking at over 2,200 confirmed cases.
That’s a massive jump from the 87 cases reported the year prior.
Why? It’s complicated. Part of it is waning immunity. Another part is that for the last few years, we were all masked up and staying home, which basically hit the "pause" button on normal bacterial spread. Now, the dam has broken.
Clark County and Spokane County have been hit particularly hard, but King County is seeing a steady climb too. It’s not just "little kid" stuff either. While it’s most dangerous for infants—literally life-threatening—plenty of fully vaccinated adults are ending up with a 100-day cough because their childhood boosters have long since worn off.
If you have a cough that ends in a gasping sound or causes you to gag, it’s not "just a cold." It’s time to call a doctor.
The 2024 Respiratory Mix: Flu, COVID, and the RSV Factor
Flu season in Washington didn't play by the rules this time.
Usually, we see a slow burn starting in November. In 2024, the data showed a sharp, early spike. Influenza A—specifically the H1N1 and H3N2 strains—has been the dominant player. Dr. Tao Kwan-Gett, the state’s Chief Science Officer, has been vocal about the fact that hospitalizations for the flu were hitting levels we haven't seen in years.
Then there’s the COVID-19 of it all.
It’s still here. Obviously. But it’s behaving differently. We’ve seen the rise of the "FLiRT" variants (like KP.2 and KP.3) which are incredibly good at dodging the immunity you got from that infection you had back in 2022.
- COVID-19: Wastewater data shows high activity, even if people aren't testing at home as much.
- The Flu: It's hitting hard and fast, with 507 lab-confirmed deaths reported over the 2024-2025 cycle.
- RSV: This one is a nightmare for parents of toddlers. It’s causing significant "bed crunch" at Seattle Children’s and other regional hospitals.
Basically, if you feel like you’ve been sick three times since September, you probably have been. You're likely catching these in sequence. Your immune system gets "softened up" by a mild COVID case, and then the flu moves in for the knockout punch.
That "Stomach Bug" Isn't Food Poisoning
Have you noticed everyone is suddenly "getting the 24-hour flu"?
First off, there’s no such thing as the 24-hour flu. What’s actually going around is Norovirus. And in 2024, a new-ish strain called GII.17 has been outcompeting the old versions.
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This strain is nasty. It’s responsible for about 75% of outbreaks recently. It hits fast—vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps that make you want to curl into a ball on the bathroom floor.
The worst part? Hand sanitizer doesn’t touch it. Norovirus is a "non-enveloped" virus, meaning it has a tough outer shell that alcohol can’t break through. If you’re relying on a squirt of Purell before eating your lunch at Pike Place Market, you’re still at risk. You have to use soap and water. Scrub like you’re a surgeon.
Measles and the "Traveler's Tax"
We can't talk about what sickness is going around Washington state 2024 without mentioning the measles alerts.
It feels like every other week there’s a new "exposure map" for Sea-Tac Airport. Because Washington has several pockets with lower vaccination rates, we are a prime spot for small outbreaks to ignite. We saw cases in southwest Washington early in the year, and more recently, exposures in Snohomish and King counties linked to international and domestic travel.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on the planet. If one person has it, 90% of the people close to them who are not immune will also become infected.
It starts with a high fever and a cough, followed by that classic red rash. If you were at the airport or a crowded mall and start seeing spots, don't just walk into an urgent care. Call ahead so they can isolate you. Nobody wants to be the person who shuts down a whole clinic.
Why Does Everyone Feel So Worn Out?
There is a legitimate "fatigue" going around that isn't just about being busy.
Health experts are seeing more cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae—often called "walking pneumonia." It doesn't always make you feel "hospital-sick," but it lingers. You might have a low-grade fever and a dry cough for weeks. It’s common in school-aged kids and young adults living in dorms at UW or WSU.
Because it’s bacterial, your viral tests (COVID/Flu) will come back negative, leaving you frustrated and confused. If you've been "sorta sick" for more than two weeks, it might be time for a different kind of script.
The Action Plan: What To Do Right Now
Knowing what’s going around is only half the battle. You actually have to survive the season without burning through all your sick days.
1. Upgrade your hand hygiene.
Stop relying on the gels. Norovirus is currently peaking, and soap and water is the only way to physically strip that virus off your skin. Wash for 20 seconds. Yes, actually 20 seconds.
2. Check your Pertussis status.
If it’s been more than 10 years since your last Tdap shot, you are likely unprotected against whooping cough. This is especially vital if you’re going to be around grand-kids or newborns.
3. Don't "tough it out" at work.
With the 25-fold increase in pertussis and high flu levels, going to the office with a "minor" cough is a move your coworkers will hate. Many of these illnesses are most contagious before the worst symptoms even start.
4. Test early.
Antivirals like Paxlovid (for COVID) or Tamiflu (for the flu) only work if you take them within the first 48 to 72 hours. If you wait until day four to see a doctor, you’ve missed the window.
5. Watch the wastewater.
The DOH maintains a Respiratory Illness Data Dashboard. It’s actually a great way to see if your local area is currently in a "hot zone" before you plan a big indoor party.
Washington’s health landscape in 2024 is definitely more "active" than we’d like. Between the return of old-school threats like whooping cough and the evolution of new norovirus strains, it’s a lot to keep track of. Stay hydrated, keep your air filtered if you can, and for heaven's sake, wash your hands with actual soap.
Next, you should check your immunization records through the Washington MyIR system to see if you're due for a Tdap booster, as this provides the best protection against the current pertussis surge.