Current Health Issues

STOMACH VIRUS

The campus is experiencing a number of students with a stomach illness causing nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Health Services has recently seen an increase in the number of cases.  At this time this illness appears to be caused by a virus and as such symptoms will improve in 24 to 48 hours.

PREVENTION:  TO REDUCE YOUR RISK

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.  Use waterless hand sanitizers when unable to get to a washroom.

Avoid touching your face.

Use a disposable tissue or towel to open washroom doors.

Clean your personal areas, doorknobs, desktops, etc. with disinfectant wipes.

Don't leave personal toiletries in the common bathrooms.

If you have any questions contact the Health Service at x6970 or the doctor on call after hours.  The process to contact the on call physician is on the Health Service web page.

http://www.gettysburg.edu/about/offices/college_life/health/office_hours.dot?

SELF CARE:  IF YOU CONTRACT THE STOMACH VIRUS

Allow the stomach to rest; do not drink anything for 1-2 hours after vomiting.

For dry mouth, rinse with water or mouth wash without swallowing.

When the stomach has calmed down (i.e. no vomiting for 1-2 hours) begin sips of water, flat gingerale, coke or ½ strength Gatorade mixed with water.

Sip this fluid consistently taking in one tablespoon of fluid every 10 minutes.  If this is tolerated for 1-2 hours, increase fluid slowly to 1-2 ounces every 15 minutes.  Increase fluids further as tolerated.

If vomiting starts again, wait one hour and start sipping fluid again. Do not drink a large volume of fluid at one time. Sips will sit better in the stomach and allow for re-hydration.

Clean contaminated surfaces after any episodes of illness.

When better, wash all contaminated clothing and bedding and clean your living quarters with disinfectant cleaners.

SEEK HEALTH CARE IF YOU HAVE:

Persistent abdominal pain.  The stomach muscles will be sore from vomiting.  This will subside; stomach pain is more than sore.

Vomiting and diarrhea for more than two days.

Fever of 101 degrees or more measured by your thermometer.

Blood in your bowel movements or vomit.

Signs of dehydration such as decreased or no urinary output for 6 or more hours or dark yellow/brown urine, rapid pulse, dry mouth not relieved by sipping fluids, dizzy to the point of not being able to stand upright.

COLD AND FLU SEASON!

The season for colds and influenza (Flu) is upon us.  Health Services would like to provide some information to assist students in meeting self care treatment decisions.

We have attached a couple links for you to use to attain information that could help you decide upon self care or "if or when" to contact Health Services.

The following link is for the American Academy of Family Physicians Website:

Self Care Cold Clinic Tool: 

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/517.printerview.html

General Information on Colds and Flu:

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/073.html

MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)

Recently the news media have reported on incidents of Community Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus otherwise referred to as CA-MRSA.  In some cases, CA-MRSA has had schools dealing with cases on athletic teams and in their student populations.  The College Health Service would like to provide links for further information about CA-MRSA, its prevention and when to seek treatment. Below you will find the links that provide this information:

www.cdc.gov/features/mrsainschools

www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca.html