Visits increase at Health Center
By Kami Lewis
Staff Reporter

There is a 36 percent increase in the number of daily visits to the Brown-Lupton Health Center from last fall, said Marilyn Hallam, assistant to the director of health services.

Average visits were 110 per day in the fall, but over the past few weeks, the Health Center averages 150 visits per day, she said.

Daniela Munguia/SKIFF STAFF Joe Blosser, a senior economics and religion major, enters the Brown-Lupton Health Center.

Hallam said one reason for the increase is the result of widespread upper respiratory problems among students and staff including bronchitis, sarensitis and sinusitis. There was a 23 percent increase in daily visits that involved a physician or physician’s assistant, Hallam said.

“This time of year is particularly bad for respiratory problems, especially in close environments like dorms and classrooms,” she said.

Tarrant County Epidemiologist Bobby Jones said there are two reasons for increased rates of upper respiratory illnesses in late winter.

“First of all, you have people spending more time inside because of the cold weather, so you have a greater exposure potential as germs accumulate in small areas,” he said.

“Additionally, with the humidity so low, it dries out the mucus membranes in the throat and lungs so the affects of an infection are felt more severely.”

Jones said there are no statistics for unclassified respiratory illnesses available, partly because so many cases go undiagnosed. But multiple influenza cases have been reported, and allergy season does not seem to be having an effect yet.

Common sense guidelines should help decrease the risk of becoming ill, Hallam said.

“Make sure you get plenty of sleep, watch your diet, don’t share drinks with people you know are sick; all of these things will increase your odds for staying healthy,” she said.
Hallam said the increased traffic at the Health Center means the staff is much busier, but she said students have not had to wait much longer than usual.

Janette Stanberry, a sophomore Spanish and speech pathology major, said she woke up with a cold Wednesday morning.

“It’s not bad, it is just annoying to be sick,” she said. “I’m thinking it’s a change in the weather, but I’m not planning on going to the Health Center.”

Stanberry says she has never been to the Health Center because she prefers to go to her own doctor.

Kami Lewis
k.e.lewis2@student.tcu.edu

credits

TCU Daily Skiff © 2002