Precautions can help prevent spread of virus affecting college campuses
In response to the outbreak of a contagious gastrointestinal virus at a local university campus, UCLA is recommending that its students, faculty and staff take precautions to prevent contracting the illness.
No one at UCLA has reported contracting the virus, which affected 75 students at the University of Southern California, as well as students at campuses in other parts of the nation.
The virus can cause fever, headaches, vomiting and often severe diarrhea. The illness lasts two to three days and ends by itself without medication, according to health workers at UCLA's Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center. There is no medicinal treatment or vaccine against this virus.
To best prevent an outbreak at UCLA, the Ashe Center recommends that all students, faculty and staff wash hands carefully and thoroughly before handling or preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.
Should a person become ill or think they are ill with the virus, they should:
- Wash hands carefully and thoroughly after using the toilet.
- Stay away from other people.
- If vomiting, do so in a deep basin or toilet and flush promptly.
- Drink lots of fluids, including water and electrolyte-sugar beverages such as Gatorade.
- Rest.
- Avoid anyone who has an illness or takes medicine that depresses the immune system —for example, people with diabetes or HIV or organ-transplant recipients.
Once symptoms disappear, people can resume normal activities, but they should continue careful hand-washing because they may be contagious for up to two weeks after the symptoms are gone.
More information about the virus can be obtained by visiting www.studenthealth.ucla.edu or calling the Ashe Center at 310-825-4073 (after hours at 866-704-9660). Information can also be found on the website of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/id_norovirusFS.html.