College freshmen need vaccinations
Published: Saturday, April 19, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, April 18, 2014 at 7:09 p.m.
There's a lot to think about when starting to attend a college, including being vaccinated against contagious diseases.
Louisiana colleges require all first-time freshman be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus and meningitis. Nicholls State University students can't even attend classes until they are properly vaccinated, said Michelle Caruso, Nicholls dean of student services.
“Students are required to show proof of vaccination prior to registration. We do keep a limited supply of these vaccinations on campus at our student health center, but most students come in with it prior to registration,” Caruso said.
Caruso added it's important to take care of these immunizations early to avoid complications when signing up for classes, which tend to fill up quickly.
Measles, mumps and rubella, while preventable, are still active on many college campuses today, said Dr. Frank Welch, the medical director for the Louisiana immunization program.
At least 5 percent of the population is not vaccinated for these diseases or feel they're already immune, Welch said.
“Five percent of the population is not immune. Some people didn't get a shot or it didn't work,” Welch said. “So these people think they are immune to the diseases, but they really aren't and they can spread them to other people who aren't vaccinated.”
People with mumps can feel tired and achy, have a fever or be unable to eat because of pain around the jaw. But the biggest concern for men is that it can cause sterilization.
A few hundred cases of mumps are reported on average every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2006, however, there was an outbreak affecting more than 6,584 people, with many cases on college campuses.
Fewer than 100 cases of measles and about 10 cases of German measles, or rubella, are reported on average each year, the CDC says.
The main symptom of measles is an itchy skin rash. The rash often starts on the head and moves down the body.
“Measles is so contagious, and as you probably know, it really does cause serious problems, especially for pregnant women. So first-time freshmen entering college, especially females, should get protected against this just in case they do get pregnant,” Welch said.
Welch said the state also requires first time entering freshmen to have a Tdap vaccination for tetanus and respiratory illnesses diphtheria and pertussis. Tetanus, which affects a person's nervous system, is a serious disease caused by a toxin (poison) made by bacteria that's commonly found in soil. The vaccination is needed every 10 years.
“This is important, especially here in South Louisiana, where we have hurricanes. We can step on a rusty nail and easily contract it if you haven't gotten a tetanus shot,” he said.
“As for diphtheria and pertussis, it's not so serious in a college-aged student, but they can pass it on to their brothers and sisters and younger-aged children, and it can kill them,” Welch said. “So if we can stop that carrier pool, which is young adults, then we stop it in the very young children.”
With bacterial meningitis, a serious illness known to affect college students, there is an inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord that can result in brain damage and death. Up to 2,600 people in the U.S. contract the disease yearly and one in 10 of those die, the CDC says.
Welch also recommends new college students ask their physician about the need to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B, flu and human papillomavirus.
Staff Writer Aline Carambat can be reached at 850-1148 or firstname.lastname@example.org.