2008 Woodie Awards
Stomach virus back in Philly
Frequent hand-washing and cleanliness keys to prevention
Maureen Catalano '09
Issue date: 2/7/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The gastroenteritis virus that ripped through the Saint Joseph's campus exactly two years ago is creeping its way back into the Philadelphia area. A health advisory was posted by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on Jan. 31, stating that the Division of Disease Control "received reports of increased gastrointestinal illness in Philadelphia." There has also been an outbreak in the past few weeks much like the one that occured at St. Joe's during Feb. 2005.
According to Laura Hurst, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and Director of the Student Health Center, there have been no cases of gastroenteritis at Saint Joseph's to date.
The virus, which is commonly seen on cruise ships, goes by many names, including the Norovirus, the stomach flu, the Norwalk-like virus, or winter-vomiting illness. Students of St. Joe's most commonly know gastrotenteritis by its campus-created nickname: "The Plague". The virus is most commonly characterized by vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue, among other symptoms. However painful it may be, the virus only lasts for one to three days.
Hurst explained that the virus is easily transmittable because it is contagious prior to any symptoms occuring. One does not need much exposure to it because it spreads by droplets. She stressed that it is easily transmitted by contact with surfaces and through coughs and sneezes.
"The best way to control the spread is by frequent, thorough hand washing and normal cold and flu precautions. Cleanliness can't be stressed enough," said Hurst.
The health center also recommends avoiding contact with the body fluids of others, including saliva, and not sharing food with others. Since hands are a common place of contact, hand contact of any kind is also not recommended.
Students who remember the weeks of the virus spread two years ago are not looking forward to its return to campus this winter.
"I was fortunate enough not to be hit with it, but some of my friends had it, and it was terrible. It's unfortunate that it's coming back. It was probably so widespread because of the close proximity in the freshman dorms," said Mike Rajchel, '08.
If the virus were to come back, however, Hurst believes that we would be better prepared this time around.
"University communications responded really well as a whole [last time]. Aramark worked well too, providing Gatorade at the nurses office and changing their menu up a little bit to provide chicken noodle soup and foods like that for sick students to eat. Housekeeping helped out as well and Lankenau Hospital was very courteous to our students who had severe vomiting and needed to be admitted," said Hurst.
Hurst also emphasized that she will be putting a gastroenteritis fact sheet on MySJU. She is doing this not to instill panic, but rather to promote prevention.
Students with questions should contact the Health Center at x1175.
According to Laura Hurst, Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner and Director of the Student Health Center, there have been no cases of gastroenteritis at Saint Joseph's to date.
The virus, which is commonly seen on cruise ships, goes by many names, including the Norovirus, the stomach flu, the Norwalk-like virus, or winter-vomiting illness. Students of St. Joe's most commonly know gastrotenteritis by its campus-created nickname: "The Plague". The virus is most commonly characterized by vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, and fatigue, among other symptoms. However painful it may be, the virus only lasts for one to three days.
Hurst explained that the virus is easily transmittable because it is contagious prior to any symptoms occuring. One does not need much exposure to it because it spreads by droplets. She stressed that it is easily transmitted by contact with surfaces and through coughs and sneezes.
"The best way to control the spread is by frequent, thorough hand washing and normal cold and flu precautions. Cleanliness can't be stressed enough," said Hurst.
The health center also recommends avoiding contact with the body fluids of others, including saliva, and not sharing food with others. Since hands are a common place of contact, hand contact of any kind is also not recommended.
Students who remember the weeks of the virus spread two years ago are not looking forward to its return to campus this winter.
"I was fortunate enough not to be hit with it, but some of my friends had it, and it was terrible. It's unfortunate that it's coming back. It was probably so widespread because of the close proximity in the freshman dorms," said Mike Rajchel, '08.
If the virus were to come back, however, Hurst believes that we would be better prepared this time around.
"University communications responded really well as a whole [last time]. Aramark worked well too, providing Gatorade at the nurses office and changing their menu up a little bit to provide chicken noodle soup and foods like that for sick students to eat. Housekeeping helped out as well and Lankenau Hospital was very courteous to our students who had severe vomiting and needed to be admitted," said Hurst.
Hurst also emphasized that she will be putting a gastroenteritis fact sheet on MySJU. She is doing this not to instill panic, but rather to promote prevention.
Students with questions should contact the Health Center at x1175.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Joshua Templin
posted 2/07/07 @ 8:59 PM EST
Norovirus is NOT spread through coughs and sneezes. It is solely spread by the fecal-oral route. Someone should correct this.
Charles
posted 12/21/07 @ 7:13 AM EST
I have treated staphylococos aerus, many years ago yet I still feel cramps in my stomach, weak and pain in my jointm headahes, movement in my body and alot of other feeling. (Continued…)
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