Student cardiac episodes

Date: October 26, 2009

To: Members of the Gettysburg College Community

From: Julie Ramsey, Vice President for College Life and Dean of Students

Subject: Update on student health issues

As many of you know, this semester we have had two students in our community with cardiac episodes that required hospitalization. JC Egbert'13 remains hospitalized at the University of Pennsylvania in the ICU. His parents are hopeful that JC will soon be moved to a rehabilitation center. Just last week, Hanna Heuser'12 also suffered a cardiac episode while jogging. Fortunately Hannah has returned to campus following her hospitalization.

Both students were treated at York Hospital. Not surprisingly, doctors there raised the question of whether the two cases might be related in some way, especially after noting that Hannah was JC's orientation leader at the start of school. However, doctors at Penn and York have been unable to establish the cause of the cardiac event in either case or establish any causal connection between the two cases, despite multiple diagnostic tests administered to both students. JC and Hannah both tested negative for the H1N1 flu virus.

Both students are alive today thanks to the quick thinking and actions of other students and members of the community who provided critical assistance when needed. On a broader level, the community has responded well to all those who have been ill with H1N1 flu who remained on campus. The "buddy" system--friends helping out with food delivery and other necessities-- has worked well for our campus and speaks highly of the sense of community on campus.

We want to remind all students to follow the precautions outlined below and seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing:

·Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath while at rest or with minimal exertion.

·Any pain or pressure in the chest, arm or abdomen.

·Confusion or increased lethargy.

·Sudden dizziness.

·Severe or persistent vomiting.

·Flu like symptoms that had improved but then return with fever and worsening cough.

To respond to normal seasonal flu and the H1N1 variety, locate the Influenza treatment instruction on the Health Services web page.

Symptoms of the flu include:

·An abrupt onset of symptoms, feeling well one minute and bad the next.

·Fever greater than or equal to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.

·Cough and or Sore throat.

·Headache and or Body aches.

·Fatigue.

·Runny/stuffy nose

·Vomiting and diarrhea have been reported but not frequent.

The Health Service has received part of its order for seasonal influenza vaccine and is currently administering it to students and employees. Call 717-337-6970 to schedule a time to receive this vaccine. We will notify the campus when the balance of our order is received.

We are still waiting to hear from the PA Department of Health regarding distribution of the H1N1 vaccine. The Health Services has registered to receive this vaccine when it becomes available to the Adams County area. We will notify the campus community when this becomes available.

Finally, these incidents have inspired some students to seek out CPR training. The college offers Red Cross certification in CPR training on a regular basis, as does the local hospital. Please contact Ron Parr in the Department of Public Safety at rparr@gettysburg.edu to arrange for CPR instruction.