Long Campaign Season Finally Catches Up To Gov. Patrick

BOSTON (CBS) - The long hours on the campaign trail have caught up with Governor Deval Patrick.

He began losing his voice on Monday night, and told reporters today he may have strep throat.

He joked about his husky voice when reporters asked him how he was feeling. "I have a terrible cold, or something. Unless you like the sound of this voice," he said with a smile. "I have strep or something, but otherwise I feel great."

The governor is in Washington DC this afternoon, to deliver a Purple Heart to a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

He will also be visiting the White House.

When asked about Patrick going to the hospital while being sick, aides say he has been on antibiotics and is no longer contagious.

Patrick will be getting some rest in the near future. He heads to Northern California for a vacation on Saturday.