Influenza causes feverish reaction

By MICHAEL LEACH
Collegian Staff Writer

Coming down with a respiratory infection is probably not anyone's favorite method of ushering in the spring. For an estimated 25 percent of the student population, however, it has been an inevitable condition. And University Health Services has been taking care of many of them, seeing many more new cases each day during the past two weeks.

The culprit behind this springtime blemish is an epidemic of influenza, a virus that debuted on the East Coast and is spreading toward the West.

"People are basically wanting just to crawl into a corner and die," said Dr. Lewis Logan, a University physician.

There are two strains of the influenza virus, Logan said. Influenza Virus A is treatable with antibiotics. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, coughs, sore throat and muscle soarness. Influenza Virus B, the strain that is most commonly seen in Ritenour Building, is resistant to antibiotics but exhibits the same symptoms.

"It comes on very quickly, and two, three or four days later, it's almost completely gone," Logan said.

Amy Feronti (junior-finance and health policy and administration) did not foresee her case of influenza, which came on during an especially busy time academically.

"I was really run down," Feronti said. "I took antibiotics and cough medicine, but I still haven't gotten over it. I had an exam that week."

Feronti was not alone. Kathy Petroff, supervisor of the Urgent Care Unit at Ritenour, estimated that between 110 and 120 patients a day have been seeking care, which is well above the 80 usually seen in an average day.

"They have been really sick," Petroff said. "They are anxious to get better before they go on spring break."

Logan said the virus is spread through the nasal lining. In order to avoid spreading the disease, he advises washing one's hands before eating and avoiding contact around the nose.

For those who have already contracted the virus, Logan recommends bed rest, drinking clear liquids and taking Tylenol or Advil if muscle soreness or headaches occur. Milk and alcohol should be avoided.