`Back to school' viruses make Rice students sick

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by Kathleen Fisher

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The fact that Rice students are living in such close quarters and are surrounded by other students at meals and in classes has caused the quick spread of the rhino virus.

The initial symptoms include a sore throat, body aches and possibly a fever, chills and a general feeling of malaise. "The students come in with that `I'm getting sick' feeling," Jenkins said.

"From there it can spread to the sinuses, causing congestion, runny nose, and a cough usually shows up towards the end of the illness."

Low-grade temperatures are sometimes present in the affected individuals.

While there is no cure for the virus, students should rely on rest and common sense to rid themselves of the virus or prevent themselves from contracting it, Jenkins said.

"The virus is very contagious," Jenkins said. "It is difficult to avoid getting it from a roommate. ... [D]irect contact and eating or drinking after an infected person should be avoided."

The role of vitamin C may also help in the first stages if students take a small dosage, Jenkins said.

"Every virus has its own niche," Jenkins said. "We'll probably see the flu from November to February."

"If you think you have the virus, don't panic," he said. "Get some rest and ... try over-the-counter medicine and then see what happens. There still is nothing medically to cure a cold."

Jenkins said students should realize the difference between the common cold and strep throat. Strep throat requires taking antibiotics and is usually detected because of fever, swollen lymph nodes and white spots on the tonsils.

How sick one is with a cold will depend on his or her immune system. For example, an asthma patient may have a higher risk of developing something more than a cold.

"One in every 100 or 200 otherwise healthy adults will develop bacterial infections from colds such as sinus infections, pneumonia ... " Jenkins said.

This item appeared in the News section of the September 22, 1995 issue.

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