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David McRaney | Journalist
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Strep hits USM Magazines in the USM clinic waiting room are a lot more worn this week, thanks to the spreading of a little bacterium named beta-hemolytic streptococcus - better known as strep throat.According to Dr. Virginia M. Crawford, director of Southern Miss Health Services, the campus clinic has diagnosed over 50 students with the strep throat infection since classes began last Wednesday. "This is unusual," said Crawford. "There weren't 50 cases of strep throat in all of last year. Crawford said the infection seems isn't following a distinct pattern and is affecting people who live both on and off campus. By the end of the week, she plans to review all the recent cases to determine if there is a connection. For now, she suggests students practice good hygiene by frequently washing their hands and not drinking after one another "If you're at a party," said Crawford, "please don't drink out of the same cup." For those who are already diagnosed, she recommends tossing old toothbrushes and skipping class for 24 hours after beginning antibiotics. Dr. Clay Hammack, district eight medical director for the Mississippi Health Department, said although strep throat infections are more common in the winter, returning to classes after a summer vacation sometimes leads to outbreaks. "In a college situation you have close contact with a lot of people," said Hammack. "So sickness can spread fairly regularly." He also said there's two common ways strep is passed between people. One, is large respiratory globules, such as those passed through kissing, sneezing, coughing, etc. Two, is transmitted through food handling - a method that concerns Crawford "If students work in food handling positions, please do not go to work," she said. "If you work with the public, do what you can to not spread illness. We are in a time of pandemic flus; part of the control is hygiene, and I can't stress the importance." According to webmd.com, the classic symptoms of strep are fever, sore throat without a runny nose, body ache and pustules at the back of the throat - all of which often don't appear until two to five days after becoming infected. Left untreated, the infection can spread to other areas of the body and require advanced treatment. The clinic is open until 5 p.m. A strep test will cost students $15, and students may need to purchase antibiotics as well. Both can be charged to a USM student id card. Crawford asks students to help with the overload by making an appointment. Peak times for walk-ins are 10 a.m. till noon, and 2 p.m. Originally published in The Student Printz on August 31, 2007
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