Hand, foot and mouth disease, a viral infection characterized by a blister-like rash that forms on the hands, feet and mouth, is making rounds through Point Park University.
According to Rebecca Harper, director of health services and university nurse, only two cases have been reported to the school. Harper urges students to visit the Student Health Center at any sign of the illness.
Any case reported to a medical practice outside of the Point Park health center will not be counted toward the total number of cases recorded by the university.
Students can help limit the spread by taking simple precautions.
“Wash your hands,” Harper said. “Don’t share cups, drinks or food, and don’t be in each other’s faces.”
According to Ronnie Das, a spokesperson with the Allegheny County Health Department, the ACHD is aware of the reported cases of hand, foot and mouth and are “actively working with the university to monitor the situation and ensure appropriate health and safety measures are in place.”
Das advises students to practice good hand hygiene, avoid close contact with individuals who are sick or showing symptoms, disinfect commonly touched surfaces, and to stay home when sick.
While the ACHD encourages students with symptoms of hand, foot and mouth to stay home, the university cannot enforce that guidance.
According to Michael Gieseke, assistant vice president of student affairs and dean of student life, the only illness that Point Park has mandated students quarantine if contracted is COVID-19.
“I can’t tell students not to [attend class] when they’re paying to go to school,” Gieseke said. “This is no different than a severe flu, and we don’t have a policy that says you cannot go to class if you have the flu.”
While the infection is identified by the blisters that appear on the hands, feet and mouth, it is preceded by flu-like symptoms such as a sore throat and fever.
A Point Park student who contracted the infection reported being sick with flu-like symptoms for five days before noticing the blisters.
“Every day was different,” the student said.
They described their symptoms progressing over the course of five days, starting with chills and a sore throat, progressing to a fever and eventually advancing to the blisters.
The student contracted the infection from their roommate who had been sick with hand, foot, and mouth the week prior.
“It really sucks because there is so much work to do, but the only thing you can do when you get sick like this is rest,” the student said.
According to Harper and the ACHD, the viral nature of the infection means it cannot be treated with antibiotics. It must run its course.
Harper recommends students email the Student Health Center on the day they are sick to be excused.
Students are allotted three sick days per semester before they are required to have a doctor’s note, which Harper is not able to provide.
