Wellness at Penn is continuing efforts to contain the spread of respiratory illnesses on campus, particularly pneumonia.
Compared to previous years, Penn has seen an increased number of respiratory illness cases — including pneumonia, an infection of the lungs — this academic year. In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Associate Medical Director of Student Health and Counseling Maria Pellecchia said that Wellness at Penn has “seen a noticeable uptick in respiratory illnesses among students this season.”
To help combat the spread of pneumonia and other illnesses, Pellecchia said the group “has been proactive in communicating with students” by offering “guidance on preventing the spread of upper respiratory illnesses.”
In particular, Wellness at Penn emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated for the flu to prevent the spread of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.
“Vaccines can help prevent infection by some of the bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia can also follow a flu infection,” Pellecchia said. “This is why getting an annual flu vaccine is important.”
The Wellness at Penn Guide to Communicable Diseases lists several symptoms and potential ways of spreading illnesses like the flu. In particular, the flu has several discernible symptoms including “fever/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and/or fatigue.”
The guide mentioned that individuals may be contagious before symptoms — which typically start “1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body” — become apparent. Additionally, some flu patients do not present with symptoms.
Though Student Health and Counseling does not provide routine influenza testing per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation, they will “consider testing if the student is in a high-risk group for complications from influenza or has a progressive disease.” However, Wellness at Penn reiterated that “annual vaccination is the most effective way to protect oneself against influenza.”
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, Pellecchia advised students to take other preventative measures, including “regular hand washing, limiting contact with smoking, limiting contact with sick individuals, and taking good care of chronic conditions such as asthma.”
The CDC also highlighted that healthy living practices can reduce the chance of contracting pneumonia from others. Living habits such as “cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are touched a lot” and “coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve” are all helpful measures to limit the spread and risk of infection.
Students can consult Wellness at Penn’s Guide to Respiratory Illness or schedule an appointment with Student Health and Counseling if they feel sick or are concerned they might have pneumonia.
“Student Health and Counseling is available for consultations and evaluations,” Pellecchia said. “Student Health and Counseling is also available for travel consultations to help prepare for spring break, including vaccinations and other preventative measures.”
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