Syracuse University has seen four cases of chicken pox on campus recently, according to an e-mail sent Saturday to the SU community.

Those who might have been in contact with the cases have been contacted and will receive vaccinations, according to the joint e-mail from Thomas Wolfe, senior vice president and dean of student affairs, and Cheryl Flynn, interim medical director at SU Health Services.

Chicken pox is a highly contagious but mild illness characterized by an itchy rash, according to the New York State Department of Health website. Most do not get the illness more than once, with 90 percent of those who contract chicken pox being younger than 10 years old.

The illness begins with a fever and feelings of tiredness and weakness, and an itchy blister-like rash starts soon after. Symptoms appear within 10 to 21 days after coming in contact with the illness. Most who are vaccinated will not contract the illness, but those who do will experience a mild form.

The SU e-mail said chicken pox is not a risky illness and most recover within a week, but alerted those with a compromised immune system and pregnant women, as it poses an additional health risk to fetuses.

Health Services reported ‘a smattering of visits on typical skin issues of varying causes,’ said Carol Masiclat, Health Services spokeswoman, in a Sept. 24 e-mail.

The Onondaga County Health Department is working with SU in response to the spread. Those in the campus community are encouraged to check health records to see if they need the vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults who have never had chicken pox get vaccinated.

Vaccinations are available at Health Services. Faculty and staff who think they need to be vaccinated are encouraged to contact their primary care providers, and SU students are directed to contact Health Services.

— Compiled by Dara McBride, asst. news editor, dkmcbrid@syr.edu

 

Published on October 10, 2010 at 12:00 pm

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