KRISTIN ELVES

Anthropology senior Kimmey Hardesty is one of the many students on campus who suffer from seasonal allergies. Dry weather combined with dust from campus construction is causing a higher number of allergies this year.

Thursday October 4, 2001

Doctors encourage students to be wary of blowing dust in work areas

The Campus Health Center has seen an increase in cases of allergy and asthma attacks recently, due to campus construction, dry weather and the onset of allergy season, said Lisette LeCorgne, coordinator of acute care at the center.

"We have and are seeing an increase this year in allergy- and asthma-related acute exacerbation," she said.

The health risks of dust and dirt picking up pollen and spores have intensified due to the high winds blowing around campus. Last year, there was not a significant increase, LeCorgne said.

However, last year's monsoon season was more wet and helped to prevent dust from kicking up. This year, the exceptionally dry weather combined with dust from campus construction is yielding more incidents of allergies.

"When the trucks drive by, dust kicks up. But (construction workers) are doing a good job of spraying water on the ground," said Alex Chien, a junior in Industrial Engineering.

Another student, Taimur Jabran, a senior in management information systems, said, "Nobody socializes in that area near the construction due to the dust that gets in everyone's face."

But there has not been a significant increase in cases of Valley Fever, which can also be spread by disturbances to soil caused by wind or construction.

"There have been concerns, but I haven't seen any real increase at the clinic," said Dr. Mel Weinberg, a specialist in infectious diseases at the Campus Health Center.

Valley Fever is more prevalent in the Southwest because of a specific fungus that grows in soils of low rainfall and high summer temperature.

While there has not been an increase in Valley Fever incidents on campus, Weinberg warned that it is important to be weary of the dust due to construction on the Mall and wind blowing around the campus.

Valley Fever is not contagious, and second infections are rare. Most symptoms are very mild. More than 60 percent of infected people experience flu-like symptoms or have no symptoms at all.

Identifying Valley Fever requires specific laboratory tests. Those who have not already had it are more susceptible.

Precautions to take include wearing face masks. However, masks have not proven to be effective protection from spores and dust, Weinberg said.

"I encourage those with asthma to use their steroid inhalers and nasal sprays," LeCorgne said.