Health
Influenza, norovirus and other respiratory viruses are everywhere: here's what you need to know | BU Today
BU Chief Health Officer Judy Platt talks about how to reduce your risk of getting sick and what to do if you do get sick.
- It's not too late to get a flu shot. Student Health Services and Occupational Health Center continue to provide services.
- Avoid catching and spreading the current virus by washing your hands regularly after touching contaminated surfaces, wearing a mask in crowded places, staying home, resting, and staying hydrated. You can take simple steps to reduce your risk. when you are sick.
- Students can contact Student Health Services through Patient Connect, an online portal, to schedule an appointment or ask a nurse if they have concerns about their illness.
- If you have a life-threatening emergency on campus, please call BUPD at 617-353-2121.
It's called a “quademic.” Four viruses, all highly contagious, are spreading across the country and filling emergency rooms and clinics. Of particular concern right now is norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu,” which can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and can lead to dehydration. Due to the impact of the new virus, the number of infected people nationwide in November and December more than doubled compared to the same period last year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that norovirus illnesses can increase by up to 50 percent in years when new strains emerge, like this one.
Additionally, three respiratory illnesses are on the rise: influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The CDC reports that as of January 13, “the number of cases of acute respiratory illness requiring people to seek medical care remains high.” The center reports that COVID-19 activity is increasing in most regions of the country, and seasonal influenza activity remains high nationwide. . It also reports that “RS virus activity is very high in many parts of the country, especially among young children.”
Meanwhile, vaccination rates for influenza and the new coronavirus remain low. Only 18.2 percent of Massachusetts residents have received the coronavirus vaccine this season, and just 35.7 percent have received the flu vaccine. And only 113,000 residents have received the RSV vaccine or monoclonal antibody treatment. All of this comes as local hospitals reinstate mask-wearing requirements for staff and, in some cases, patients and visitors.
As students return to campus for the start of the spring 2025 semester; Today's BU We spoke with Judy Pratt, BU's Chief Health Officer and Executive Director. student health servicesexplains what's behind the so-called “quadruple epidemic,” steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting sick, and what to do if you get sick.
Q&a
with Judy Pratt
Today's BU: Let's start with norovirus. What is it and how does it spread?
Pratt: Norovirus is often referred to as gastroenteritis, even though it is not actually caused by influenza. It is a disease of the gastrointestinal, or digestive tract, and is considered the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States. Norovirus is also the most common foodborne illness, and the virus can contaminate food through contact with infected people, contaminated water, or contaminated surfaces.
Today's BU: What's behind the surge in cases here in Massachusetts and across the country?
Pratt: Norovirus is highly contagious. According to the CDC, there are typically about 20 million infections each year in the United States alone. Epidemics occur most often in winter and spring. There are several factors that increase the infectivity of norovirus. An infected person can shed billions of virus particles in their vomit or stool, and it doesn't take that many particles to infect another person and make them sick. Viruses are also very difficult to kill and are resistant to regular household cleaners and wipes. And even after symptoms subside, the virus can be shed in the stool for days or weeks. Like other viruses, norovirus evolves and new strains can arise. The new virus that is currently believed to be responsible for the current surge is called GII.17.
Today's BU: Is there anything I can do to reduce my risk of getting norovirus? And what should I do if I get it?
Pratt: 1. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water (use soap as well, as hand sanitizer is not as effective against norovirus).
2. If you have vomiting or diarrhea, use a chlorine bleach solution (1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water) to disinfect nearby or affected surfaces. Standard disinfecting wipes, such as Clorox or Lysol, do not have It is also effective against norovirus.
3. Be aware that you may be shedding virus for days to weeks after infection.
4. Norovirus can withstand temperatures as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit, so it's important to thoroughly cook seafood.
5. Wash fruits and vegetables that will not be cooked thoroughly before eating.
6. If you are infected with norovirus, be careful of dehydration. Drink fluids, especially those that contain electrolytes like Gatorade.
Today's BU: What should a student do if he or she is concerned about his/her illness?
If you are concerned about dehydration or prolonged symptoms due to norovirus, please contact Student Health Services. Please call our office at 617-353-3575 or send a message to a nurse over the phone. Patient Connection Portal.
Today's BU: The number of people infected with influenza is also increasing. So what are the symptoms to watch out for?
Symptoms tend to appear quickly and include fever and chills, cough, sore throat, muscle and body aches, headache, fatigue, and runny or stuffy nose. In some cases, children may experience vomiting and diarrhea, which is more likely to occur in children.
Today's BU: What should I do if I get the flu?
It's important to remember that most people who get the flu experience only mild symptoms and do not require medical care or antiviral drugs. If you have the flu, stay home, rest, stay hydrated, and avoid contact with others. If you have any emergency warning signs, you should go to your local emergency room. These signs include difficulty breathing, chest pain, seizures, severe muscle pain, inability to urinate, fever or cough that subsides but then returns or worsens, severe weakness, and worsening of a chronic medical condition such as diabetes.
Influenza can also cause pneumonia and sinusitis. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs that can reduce symptoms and shorten the survival time of the virus.
Today's BU: How is influenza different from the common cold? How can you tell the difference?
Colds tend to develop gradually. Influenza, sooner. Colds rarely cause high fever or chills. These symptoms are common with influenza. Headaches are also more common with influenza than with colds.
Today's BU: Only about one-third of Massachusetts residents have received the flu vaccine this season. Is it too late to get the flu shot?
No, it's not too late. Students can book online patient connection Get your vaccine at our school located at 881 Commonwealth Avenue. Student Health Services will also be holding a vaccination clinic from Wednesday, January 24 to Friday, January 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at FitRec (please use the 3 Court Gym entrance across the street) 25 Buick Street ). These clinics also offer MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus (Tdap), meningitis, hepatitis B, varicella, and HPV vaccines. Again, students must make an appointment through Patient Connect, but walk-in appointments are also available.
Employees can continue to receive free flu vaccinations through the BU Occupational Health Center located at 930 Commonwealth Avenue. Employees can make reservations by calling the main line at 617-353-6630.
Today's BU: Are immunization clinics free for students?
Influenza vaccinations are free for students enrolled in student health insurance. For students with other insurance, SHS will provide a receipt that you can send to your insurance company for reimbursement.
Today's BU: Cases of other respiratory illnesses, such as respiratory syncytial virus and COVID-19, are on the rise as well. Again, how can you tell these viruses from the common cold?
Upper respiratory illnesses can share some of the same symptoms, so it's not always obvious which virus you have based on your symptoms. A good resource is This one From the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Today's BU: Most students have roommates. If you share a room or apartment with a roommate who has one of these illnesses, what can you do to reduce your risk of getting sick?
Hand hygiene, wearing a face mask if possible, and circulating fresh air can help. If you can temporarily stay with a friend or stay off campus, that is also an option. We know that it is very difficult to prevent diseases in such crowded places. Continuing basic immune support efforts, such as getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious, balanced meals, can also be helpful.
Today's BU: Speaking of mask-wearing, many local hospitals, including Massachusetts General Brigham Hospital, Boston Medical Center, and Beth Israel Lahey, are now requiring staff to wear masks, and are strongly encouraging patients and visitors to wear masks as well. I'm looking for it. Do I have to wear a mask at the T or other crowded venues?
The use of masks is very useful as a preventive measure, especially in crowded spaces where upper respiratory viruses are likely to circulate. Student Health Services provides masks at the entrance at all times and encourages anyone with respiratory symptoms to wear a mask.
Today's BU: Is there anything else I can do to reduce my risk of contracting these viruses?
It's important to stay informed about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine. This lowers your risk of becoming seriously ill or needing hospitalization. practice good hygiene Please seek medical attention immediately test and/or process if you have Risk factors for serious illness.
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Sources 2/ https://www.bu.edu/articles/2025/what-you-need-to-know-about-viruses/ The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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