By Deanna Tran

Recent studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control reveal that widely known dormant diseases such as mumps, whooping cough and tuberculosis, are now re-emerging on college and university campuses nationwide.

According to the Oct. 27 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued by CDC, universities in Illinois, Kansas and Virginia have all reported mump outbreaks this fall. With Illinois alone reporting 84 cases, college students affected by the disease this year has already exceeded the number of cases in recent years.

A tuberculosis scare struck Missouri Southern State University in October when 12 students tested positive for the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, were reported at Cornell University and the State University of New York at Binghamton earlier this year as well.

Dr. Phillip Bressoud, director of the Health Service Office at the University of Louisville, said the return of these not-so-prevalent diseases may be due to the incoming international populations that arrive at college campuses in the United States each year.

According to Bressoud, typical college students are not as vulnerable to mumps or pertussis as older people in the U.S. But if these 18 to 20-somethings are infected, he said, the effects can be serious and permanent.

Meningitis, testicular inflammation in men, infertility and deafness are all potential side effects of mumps, a disease characterized by the swelling of the salivary glands. The highly contagious pertussis disease triggers unrelenting and intense coughing that can persist for weeks.

The university health service has not yet encountered patients with known cases of mumps or pertussis, but, according to Bressoud, there have been occasional cases of tuberculosis within the past couple of years. The last reported case occurred two years ago.

Bressoud said that most TB cases affected international students.

Although the CDC reported that tuberculosis is declining domestically, recent cases reported on campuses around the country have prompted concern. Tuberculosis is a serious infection of the lungs that is highly contagious and, in some cases, even deadly.

The health services centers at U of L provide testing for tuberculosis and vaccinations for both mumps and pertussis. The new student health fee covers TB testing, but students or their private health insurance must foot the bill for the vaccinations.

Aside from these three resurging diseases, Bressoud said the most common illnesses reported among U of L students are respiratory related ailments, including cold- and flu-like illness.

In order to protect oneself from sickness, Bressoud recommended students cover their mouths when coughing and distance themselves from those who are sick.

Despite the availability of treatments and vaccinations on campus, some students are still worried about getting sick. Sam Vermani, a senior political science major, said he does not feel safe from contagious diseases at school. “The way U of L is set up, I don’t think we’re protected,” he said.

Vermani said he worries small, shared quarters – like dorm rooms and small classrooms – may increase the susceptibility of students to harmful bacteria. Studies concur, and many experts say that college students, especially those living in dorms, get flu and meningitis vaccines.

“These places incur a huge influx of students daily, and they’re constantly used both day and night,” Vermani said.

Sophomore Deya Banerjee, a biology major, said she worries about the cleanliness of things she comes in contact with everyday. “A lot of public places like restrooms, cafeterias, computer keyboards at the library and drinking fountains are probably breeding grounds for germs and other bacteria,” Banerjee said.

And while these facilities are cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis at the university, students should still be mindful of frequent handwashing and other measures to keep themselves out of the way of germs.

Both Vermani and Banerjee said that they take precautionary measures to ensure their health at the university. Vermani said he washes his hands after using public facilities, and Banerjee said she carries hand sanitizers and gets seasonal checkups.

Bressoud said taking these precautionary measures, as well as taking advantage of the health resources offered at the university, can help control the spread of diseases.

Contact the Belknap Campus Student Health Services center by calling 852-6479.