Elizabethtown College students are frightened as the increase in numbers of norovirus cases around campus have ledlead to the possible cancellation of some student activities.
Norovirus case numbers usually increase between the months of November and- April however, this season the virus has become more widespreadseems to be taking a turn for the worse. The school has sentbeen sending out emails reminding students the effects getting the norovirus might have on an individualone. Along with the emailsthis, flyers werehave been posted in dorm buildings and classrooms urging students to wash their hands and stop the spread of germs.
Students and staff around campus fear sporting games, practices, classes, and student activities couldwill be cancelled or postponed. Since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, people have been more on edge and cautious around others who are sick.
Symptoms of the norovirus can be similar to those of the flu or COVID-19, and include. These include vomiting, fever, muscle aches, nausea, and stomach pains. Symptomns typically takeThe norovirus will typically go into effect one to -two days after contact and the symptoms will last for a few days. This virus is best spread through contaminated surfaces and outbreaks are most common within college campuses such as Elizabethtown College.
First-year Freshman women’swoman’s lacrosse player, Morgan Echeverria was one of the first norovirus cases on campus during the second semester.
“I honestly thought I had the flu, but it wasn’t until I started throwing up and having intense migraines, I realized there was something a lot worse going on,” stated Echeverria said. “I was really worried about getting my teammates and friends sick because everyone was so worried I wasn’t hydrating enough to get past this sickness.”
Echeverria’s sickness later led to a spiral of illnessessicknesses amongst the players on the team. The result of the norovirus outbreak forced head coach Danielle Taylor to cancel a Friday practice to allow for her players to rest, hydrate, and have time away from the team. Most cases around campus have subsided after a few days however, lack of hydration and replenishing of nutrients can cause hospitalization.
Luckily, students on campus who have experienced norovirus symptoms werehave been able to be diagnosed and pointed in the right direction of at the Penn Medicine Elizabethtown College Medical Center.
Jordyn Hironimus, a sophomore occupational therapyist major, fears for contracting the norovirus.
“I have an extremely rigorous schedule with practices, labs, volunteering, and classes. Contracting the norovirus will only put me days behind in these things,” exclaimed Hironimus said. “All of the work I would miss doesn’t sound exciting to me.”
Encouraging everyone to be cautious of your surroundings, washing your hands, and staying in your dorm rooms when feeling sick can help stop the spread around Etown.
