In this week's What's Going Around, the beginning of the fall allergy season is here.

The pollen count is high in the Valley this week. Pollen.com rates pollen levels Wednesday in Harrisonburg at a 9.8 on a 12-point scale.

Ragweed, nettle and grasses are the main pollens right now. Ragweed flowers in the late summer and pollen develops overnight when temperatures drop lower than 60 degrees.

The Central Shenandoah Health District is reporting cases of pertussis or whooping cough. A state Department of Health epidemiologist says adults can be infected without knowing it and pass the infection to kids who are more venerable.

Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection. It resembles an ordinary cold at first but can become more serious, especially in infants. There is a vaccine available that can prevent an infection.

However, Virginia is not alone as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report pertussis outbreaks in several states so far in 2010, including a statewide outbreak in California.

In Waynesboro, pediatrician Robert Fern says he's treating more strep throat since kids went back to school. Strep throat is caused by a bacteria and a doctor may prescribe an antibiotic for treatment.