Taking proper health precautions
Emily Steele/Student Government Editor
Issue date: 10/23/09 Section: News
Health Service is swamped.
"We're in crisis mode," said Sheila Baker, medical director of Health Service.
Doctors are now diagnosing 10 to 15 cases of the H1N1 virus daily, out of the hundreds of ill students who show up for medical assistance.
Health service has seen a 13-percent increase in patients each week compared to last year, and that number has jumped since Homecoming weekend, Baker said.
Those numbers do not include regular check-up appointments, which are being delayed for two to three weeks
Director of Health Service Lynette Drake said last week that while not all the students who come in have the virus, they are identifying many other illnesses like strep throat and mononucleosis.
With 161 cases of H1N1 at Eastern as of Thursday morning, and flu shots yet to be distributed, students are encouraged to take precautions.
The best method recommended by Baker is "good old soap and water."
If unable to wash their hands, people should use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill viruses and bacteria.
Viruses, such as H1N1, are best treated with a preventative flu shot and general personal hygiene.
With hand sanitizers being one of the recommended preventative methods, the Charleston Walmart has seen a jump in sales.
Compared to September 2008, the store sold 887 more hand sanitizer products last month.
A common misconception is that antibiotics, which are used for bacterial illnesses, can cure a virus.
Taking an antibiotic for the flu will not cure the infection or keep others from getting ill, and can be more harmful, according the Centers for Disease Control Web site.
One way of using antibiotics inappropriately is by taking medication for a bacterial illness incorrectly, which can lead to the development of "Super Viruses," such as MRSA and staph infections.
"Super Viruses" are antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria or drug resistant viruses.
CDC representative Amanda Aldridge said some sanitizers may lead to stronger bacteria and viruses.
"Soap and water are the best way to keep hands clean, but alcohol-based sanitizers are also acceptable," Aldridge said. "Any products with the ingredient Triclosan are suspected to build up antibiotic resistance, but they are still not sure how much resistance this ingredient builds up."
On campus, approximately 65 new hand sanitizer poles have been ordered for placement outside academic buildings, but are not expected to arrive for another four to six weeks, said Travis Magee from Building Services.
"It's a nationwide back order," Magee said. "The company that makes them is allotting a certain amount to people."
Emily Steele can be reached at 581-7942 or easteele2@eiu.edu.
Bacteria Virus
Bacteria
Ex: Strep throat, MRSA
• A living organism
• Can be beneficial
• Can be treated with antibiotics like penicillin
Virus
Ex: the common cold, H1N1 Flu
• Must have a living host
• Preventative treatment: inoculations, maintaining a healthy immune system
• Post treatment: over the counter medications to provide temporary relief of symptoms
*both can be killed by proper hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers
"We're in crisis mode," said Sheila Baker, medical director of Health Service.
Doctors are now diagnosing 10 to 15 cases of the H1N1 virus daily, out of the hundreds of ill students who show up for medical assistance.
Health service has seen a 13-percent increase in patients each week compared to last year, and that number has jumped since Homecoming weekend, Baker said.
Those numbers do not include regular check-up appointments, which are being delayed for two to three weeks
Director of Health Service Lynette Drake said last week that while not all the students who come in have the virus, they are identifying many other illnesses like strep throat and mononucleosis.
With 161 cases of H1N1 at Eastern as of Thursday morning, and flu shots yet to be distributed, students are encouraged to take precautions.
The best method recommended by Baker is "good old soap and water."
If unable to wash their hands, people should use alcohol-based hand sanitizers to kill viruses and bacteria.
Viruses, such as H1N1, are best treated with a preventative flu shot and general personal hygiene.
With hand sanitizers being one of the recommended preventative methods, the Charleston Walmart has seen a jump in sales.
Compared to September 2008, the store sold 887 more hand sanitizer products last month.
A common misconception is that antibiotics, which are used for bacterial illnesses, can cure a virus.
Taking an antibiotic for the flu will not cure the infection or keep others from getting ill, and can be more harmful, according the Centers for Disease Control Web site.
One way of using antibiotics inappropriately is by taking medication for a bacterial illness incorrectly, which can lead to the development of "Super Viruses," such as MRSA and staph infections.
"Super Viruses" are antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria or drug resistant viruses.
CDC representative Amanda Aldridge said some sanitizers may lead to stronger bacteria and viruses.
"Soap and water are the best way to keep hands clean, but alcohol-based sanitizers are also acceptable," Aldridge said. "Any products with the ingredient Triclosan are suspected to build up antibiotic resistance, but they are still not sure how much resistance this ingredient builds up."
On campus, approximately 65 new hand sanitizer poles have been ordered for placement outside academic buildings, but are not expected to arrive for another four to six weeks, said Travis Magee from Building Services.
"It's a nationwide back order," Magee said. "The company that makes them is allotting a certain amount to people."
Emily Steele can be reached at 581-7942 or easteele2@eiu.edu.
Bacteria Virus
Bacteria
Ex: Strep throat, MRSA
• A living organism
• Can be beneficial
• Can be treated with antibiotics like penicillin
Virus
Ex: the common cold, H1N1 Flu
• Must have a living host
• Preventative treatment: inoculations, maintaining a healthy immune system
• Post treatment: over the counter medications to provide temporary relief of symptoms
*both can be killed by proper hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitizers
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