CADEN HAYNOR / NEWS EDITOR

EMMA PHILLIPS / ASST. NEWS EDITOR

This semester, the University received multiple reports of confirmed cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) that have affected students on campus as of Nov. 10. These cases spread across multiple on-campus housing areas, including many first-year residence halls like the Valley A and B buildings. 

HFMD is a viral illness that commonly causes sores in the mouth and a rash on one’s hands and feet. It is mostly spread through direct contact with a person who has contracted the disease and by breathing in the airborne virus. 

Rashes on hands are one symptom of HFMD. Photo courtesy of @stellarpediatric/Instagram

USD first-year and Valley A resident Declan Lancas was exposed to someone with HFMD after he visited their room. Lancas shared his reaction to his exposure.

“I was super shocked,” Lancas said. “Everyone  within our  room  started  spraying down all of the  chairs that he was  sitting  in  and  whatnot. And then the next day we saw him and  he  had  bumps all over his face and  we  were  like,  ‘Oh  my gosh  we  can’t get this,’  so  we’ve just  been   distancing  from [his room]…  I’m  definitely   worried about it, I can’t get caught with that.”

USD first-year Madison Merlino lives in Valley B and shared what she knows about HFMD.

“I’ve   heard  that  it gives you really  horrible   blisters,” Merlino said. “Everyone has been talking about it and saying that they don’t want to get it and they just put a whole hand sanitizer  on  our floor with a sign.”

Dr. Kimberly Woodruff, director of the USD Student Health Center, responded to students’  concerns  about  HFMD in  a  statement to The USD Vista. 

“Like many common viral illnesses, HFMD is contagious and  can  affect  people  of  all ages,   including   healthy  adults,” Woodruff   explained. “However,  it  is   typically  a  mild  illness   in   adults   and   can clear up within    a   few   days. The  virus is transmitted  by  close  personal contact  (including kissing  and hugging) [and through]  respiratory  droplets from  coughing  or  sneezing… HFMD is   not  uncommon  on  college campuses.  It  can spread  in close  communal  settings,   such as residence halls and shared workspaces.  However,  it  can be prevented with  proper  health and hygiene… There is no cause for concern.”

Woodruff also shared what the University is doing to help prevent the spread of common viruses.

“In    the    coming    days,    the  team from USD Facilities Services and USD  Residential Life will provide extra cleaning in common areas as a precaution,” Woodruff stated. “The USDTimelyCare team is available 24/7 for virtual on-demand   medical   care… Students can speak with  a medical   provider   at   any  time  to  address    questions   or   concerns.”

USD first-year Morgan Beck responded  to the University’s response to the recent spread of HFMD.

“I    think   that   they’re handling    it    pretty   well,” Beck     said.    “I   don’t   think,   at   least     in   Valley   B,   there   hasn’t  been   a    ton    of    people  getting   it.   So,     from  what   I’ve   seen,    I   think    that  they’re   keeping   it   under   control   pretty   well.   I’m  going from a small   sample     size…    but    I have a   couple   buddies   in   Valley A   and  there   it’s   pretty   bad.”

USD sophomore Gabriel Ambrose reacted to the spread of  HFMD on campus.

“It’s  really  unfortunate living on campus with this,” Ambrose said. “You’re in such close proximity to other people, so it’s just hard. But it is cold season, it is flu season and sometimes these things come around. We can all play our part in making sure that we stop the spread.”

Signs and sanitizing stations around campus aim to prevent the spread of disease. Photo courtesy of @stellarpediatric/Instagram

As   a   viral   illness,   some of the best ways to prevent the spread of HFMD are washing hands frequently, avoiding sharing items like cups and utensils, disinfecting surfaces and avoiding large gatherings of people.

Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent getting sick. Lara Dominique Solante/The USD Vista