College campuses are far from clean, where viruses can be found on every surface. Unfortunately, two Southern California campuses are experiencing this the hard way.

At Southwestern Community College, in Chula Vista, a student who attended two classes in the summer and fall 2008 sessions tested positive for tuberculosis (TB). The 75 students who came into contact with the infected student were notified by mail, and were encouraged to get tested.

According to San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, in 2007, there were 280 reported cases of TB, and so far in 2008, 155 cases have been confirmed. Symptoms include fevers, night sweats, a persistent cough, and unexplained weight loss. However, the Health and Human Services Agency stresses that not everyone who comes in contact with TB will contract it.

At the University of Southern California, over 200 students have become ill from a gastrointestinal virus that appears to be spread through contact. On October 3, only 30 students had fallen ill, but that number had more than quadrupled within the next two days. As of October 7, over 200 people were experiencing symptoms, which included vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. Students suffering from severe dehydration were given intravenous fluids, but only 10 students were briefly hospitalized.

Concerns were raised about the origins of the virus, originally thought to be a food contamination from the popular campus eatery “Everybody’s Kitchen.” The Los Angeles Health Department closed the facility temporarily over the weekend for an inspection, but found no evidence of contamination.

To combat further spreading of the virus, USC ordered 3,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 2,000 containers of disinfecting wipes to distribute to students, who are encouraged to wash their hands frequently, and to avoid contact with infected individuals

Here at Mesa, signs of health awareness are all over the campus. Bathrooms are well stocked with plenty of soap and paper towels, and hand sanitizer dispensers throughout the campus. Students need to take care, and prevent the spread of viruses by washing their hands often, avoiding close contact with people who have a cough or cold. IF a student has a cold, its highly encouraged that they carry around tissues and hand sanitizer and use both as often as possible.

To prevent the spread of germs, students should cough into their elbows, wash their hands often, and avoid close contact with everyone, whether they have a cough and cold already or not. This is not a foolproof measure, and rest is the best way to ensure a healthy flu season this year.