If the Hillsdale College Health and Wellness Center confirms a third case of chickenpox, campus could become nearly a ghost town.
Two cases of chickenpox have been confirmed on campus, one on Sept. 13 and the other before classes began.
According to Michigan state law, when a school reports more than two cases of chickenpox in close proximity to one another, students who can not prove immunity will be kept off campus until 21 days after the last case.
“Most college students don’t want to miss a class, let alone 10-days worth,” said Carol Drews, a nurse with the health center.
After Oct. 5, the clock resets and the state will allow another two cases before requiring students to prove immunity to stay on campus.
Chickenpox is a “mandatory reportable” disease, Drews said.
“I call the minute I know they’re sick,” she said. “It’s a state statute, and it’s designed to protect people.”
Staff at the Health and Wellness Center are urging students to consult with their parents to make sure they are immunized. A blood test, a vaccine, or a severe childhood case can prove immunity. Only severe childhood cases completely ensure immunity as an adult.
Junior Aaron Schepps had a light case of chickenpox when he was younger but contracted the virus a few days ago.
“I had an extremely mild case, amounting to a grand total of six or seven sores I think,” Schepps said.
He is still in quarantine in his off-campus house, and spends his time reading when the pain is bad and watching movies when the pain is worse.
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella virus. Patients can treat the effects of the sores and fever with pain medicine and fever reducers, but as with all viruses, no cure exists.
“Unfortunately,” Schepps said, “the medicine doesn’t have a huge effect every time.”
Although there is no cure, vaccines serve as preventative maintenance. The Health and Wellness Center is providing a vaccine that can be ordered overnight. The booster shot costs about $90. Students can also check to see if their home doctor provides vaccines under their family’s insurance plans. To keep costs down, the center does not accept payments from insurance companies.
If you or your parents have any questions about this issue, please contact Carol Drews, health service nurse, or call the Health and Wellness Center at 517-607-4368. Hours for the center are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can also contact Brock Lutz, director of health services, on his cell phone at 216-789-9605.
