College Students Should Protect Health With Good Hygiene: Blood Infection Kills Student
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
by Abigail Richards
A 22-year-old Dillard University student in New Orleans died after contracting a rare infection of the bloodstream that can spread bacteria through the body. It can cause death within two days.
According to Fox News, New Orleans Health Department Director Kevin Stephens said the bloodstream infection, which is related to the meningitis family and causes flu-like symptoms and a rash in its early stages, is difficult to treat because it moves quickly, but some vaccines are effective.
Vaccines work but it takes up to two weeks for the body to build enough antibodies to ward off infection. The infection can be treated, though with some basic hygienic practices. Students should do these practices such as frequent hand-washing and covering the mouth when coughing and sneezing, and not sharing personal items such as razors.
The Department of Health stated that bacterial infections are common for first and second year college students since they tend to live in such close quarters within dormitories.
I remember college. At times, it is a wonder that some dorm rooms are not declared health hazards. I was actually one of the lucky ones. My roommate would clean when she got stressed, but really there is only so much cleaning a person can do with kids who have no care as far as cleanliness is concerned.
I think, too, as a college student you feel invincible so such things as basic hand washing and such is sometimes overlooked.
It is easy to forget all the teaching that mothers yelled about for years. As a mom of a preschooler, I continually am reminding my child to wash hands. Multiply a bathroom that is shared by many, many students and you are just asking for trouble.
I was the lucky one and only shared my bathroom with two other girls. My husband shared his bathroom with a floor full of boys-at least 20. This is my advice for protecting yourself.
Always wear water shoes into the shower to protect your feet from germs. Wear latex gloves when cleaning bathrooms, kitchen areas or any high germ areas. Send your student off with a huge bottle of antibacterial gel such as Purel.
Nurses also say to cough and sneeze into your elbow now instead of your hands. It keeps the germs from spreading as your hands touch several areas a minute.
Also, be careful with whom you share things with. Do not share make-up, drinks, etc because all of these have germs.
These are the most important years of your life, a time when you are setting the foundation for your future. It is important to take the time to make sure you stay healthy. Eat well-don't fall for all the junk. Take your Vitamin C and remember the good hygienic principles that were part of your daily life before you left home.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I wrote an article a whlie back concerning disease in America. My mom just fought an infection she has had since the beginning of Thanksgiving week. At my instance they put her on oral medication, which did not work. They then placed her on 10 days IV, which did not work and then they had her, at my insistance, go into a hospital for 10 days of twice a day IV of a stronger medicine. Now needless to say the Outpatient meedication room was full of people with the same problem. there is evidently no concern or awareness of what is happening in this nation. We have peole coming and going freely without immunizations, rare disease, infections and little to no control. It is a fact that most in the medical profession understand. So just where are all of us Americans on this. I'll tell you - sadly cloud 9. We just do not care to know. Good article, RTM
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