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INFECTIOUS DISEASE INFORMATION
 

Skin Infection Information/Links

Meningitis Information/Links

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Update on SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have declared the SARS epidemic “contained”.  For information on the history of the epidemic, the methods used to contain it, and the case definition, please view http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/index.htm.

 The CDC has also lifted all travel advisories and travel alerts. (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/travel.htm).

We will continue to monitor the situation and promptly notify the community if new outbreaks of this or other potentially relevant infectious diseases occur.

Davis Smith MD
 Medical Director
Davison House Health Center
Wesleyan University

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Allergy vs. Cold vs. Flu - (Cold and Flu Information Links)

 Meningitis Information Links
 

 

Tip: Drink Your Soup! 
Although it's never been proven, there are many  loyal believers in the power of soup. It is thought that the salt can help reduce inflammation in the throat while the warmth can increase circulation to your throat to promote healing. 

Allergies

Allergy Symptoms:

Nasal congestion, clear drainage from nose, sneezing,
itchy nose, itchy eyes, post-nasal drip frequently causing a cough and
irritated throat.

Allergy (seasonal) facts:

suspect an allergy if the above symptoms last
longer than 2 weeks. Allergy symptoms develop from exposure to specific
allergens and usually appear around the same time each year, spring, summer
or fall. Other types of allergens, like molds and pet dander, produce
similar symptoms and come and go with exposure.
Transmission: none

Treatment:

Avoid the allergen(s) as much as possible. Treat symptoms with
over the counter antihistamines like Benadryl. If not effective see a
health care professional.

 

Common Cold

Symptoms:

A cold develops gradually.  Initial symptoms of runny nose, sneezing, and chills are followed by coughing, headache, sore throat, loss of appetite, and nasal discharge.  If fever is present, it will be low-grade (less than 101 degrees).

Cold Facts:

The common cold is caused by more than 200 different viruses. There are currently no antibiotics that are effective against colds.  Medications can help relieve symptoms, but there is no cure.

Transmission:

The most common ways a cold is spread are through hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by touching a hard surface or object that a person with a cold has recently touched.  A cold can also be transmitted through airborne particles through coughing or sneezing, but it isn't very likely, unless you have prolonged contact with someone with a cold.

Prevention:

To decrease your chances of exposure, wash hands frequently and try to stay away from anyone with a cold.

Once exposed, you are less likely to develop cold symptoms if you have a strong immune system.  To keep your immune system in shape, try to keep a regular schedule with eight hours of sleep, a balanced diet, and exercise.  Try to keep stress levels low, and DON'T SMOKE!

Treatment: 

Pick up a Self-Care Cold Pack at the Health Center

Non-pharmaceutical/ Alternative Therapies for Colds:    
 

1.

Get plenty of rest and avoid fatigue to help your body fight off the virus. 

2. 
 

Fluids - Drink plenty of fluids (8-12 glasses a day).  Fluids help thin secretions and keep membranes moist and more resistant to infection. Avoid beverages with caffeine as caffeine can dehydrate you. 

3.

Inhaling steam can help relieve congestion and cough. 

4. 
 

Salt-water gargles can help relieve inflammation and pain of a sore throat.  (Mix ½ teaspoon table salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle every two to three hours.) 

5. 
 
 

Vitamin C- There are many conflicting theories as to the effectiveness of vitamin C in cold prevention and treatment.   The severity of a cold may be limited by regular low doses (250mg per day) of vitamin C before you get a cold.  Higher doses may have adverse consequences and are not recommended.

6. 
 

Zinc- Zinc gluconate lozenges have gotten a lot of publicity recently as a weapon against colds. The lozenges should be started as soon as the first tickle of a sore throat is felt to be effective. 

7. 
 
 

Garlic is thought to have some anti-viral effects.  Fresh is more effective than the tablets, but it has more unpleasant side effects (mainly bad breath and stomach upset).  Other "warm" spices such as  ginger and cayenne peppers can help loosen congestion and soothe minor sore throat pain. 

8. 
 

The herbs echinacea and golden seal are also thought to help.  They work best if started quickly and simultaneously and should not be taken for longer than two weeks. 

 

 
When to see a health care provider:

  • You should come to the Health Center if any of the following apply:
    •
        • Symptoms last longer than 10 days.
        • You have a severe sore throat, earache, or headache not relieved by Tylenol or ibuprofen.
        • You have a history of tuberculosis, rheumatic fever, kidney disease, or heart disease.
        • You have severe chest pain or shortness of breath.
        • You are coughing up thick, green or bloody sputum.
        • You have swollen glands or hard sore lumps on the sides or back of your neck.

     

    Flu / Influenza

    Symptoms:

    The flu most often hits abruptly, with a sudden high fever, dry cough, and headache. Other symptoms may include muscle aches, weakness, a sore throat, runny nose, and red, watery eyes that are sensitive to light.
     

    Flu Facts:

    Like a cold, the flu is a viral infection and there is no cure.   It is spread through person-to-person contact and through sneezing and coughing.  The flu can make people of any age ill. Most people are sick for only a few days, but some have a more serious illness that may require hospitalization.

    Once a person gets the flu, not much can be done except to alleviate the symptoms.  The best treatment is prevention by immunization.
     

    Immunization:

    Immunization is important for people with increased risk of complications and for those most likely to spread it. The vaccine is recommended for college students, especially those who live in dorms.  They run a higher risk of contracting the flu because of close living quarters.  In addition, many college students experience a drastic change in eating and sleeping habits when school first starts which may lead to a weakened immune system.

    People who need the vaccine should get it every year.  The vaccine starts to protect you after a week or two and protection may last up to one year.  In the United States, the CDC recommends getting the vaccine in October or mid-November.  Because viruses change so often, it is possible to get the flu even if you have received the vaccine.  However, people who do get the flu after being vaccinated usually have a milder case than those who did not get the vaccine. The flu vaccine will not cause the flu.

    Side Effects:

    The most common side effects are soreness at injection site, fever, weakness, muscle aches, and allergic reactions. You should not receive the vaccine if you have an allergy to eggs.  Check with your doctor or nurse at Student Health before receiving the vaccine if you have had previous reactions to vaccines or if you have any chronic health problems.  You also should not be vaccinated during an illness involving fever.

     

    Edited on 02/08/2006