WASHINGTON – A norovirus has infected 85 students at George Washington University, school officials say.
The stomach virus spread in the last 24 hours, though similarities have not been established among the victims.
Students, faculty and staff have been warned to take precautions like frequently washing hands and disinfecting surfaces.
Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramping.
Low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and general sense of fatigue are less common symptoms and can easily be confused with a stomach flu. But unlike the influenza virus, this illness is not airborne.
The school warns that there is no drug treatment or vaccine available. People experiencing symptoms should visit a doctor immediately.
In addition, campus authorities at the University of Maryland Baltimore County sent out a release on Wednesday notifying the public that a suspected case of tuberculosis had been reported.
Tuberculosis is an airborne respiratory illness that is difficult to catch through typical campus interaction. Contraction occurs through sustained close contact with an infected individual.
Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
