Students show little worry
about anthrax on campus
By Laura Pelner
Campus
Editor
Only one person on campus has gone to the Student
Health Center to request an anthrax test this semester.
Dr. Sarah Sager, clinical director of the health
center, said there have been a few phone calls from people inquiring
about tests and one person who's come in specifically asking for one.
Sager said she doesn't think this is a lot of people.
"If it's consuming the thoughts of the students,
they're not bringing it up when they come in," Sager said. "I think
there's so much in the news that folks are feeling pretty secure that
there hasn't been a near exposure here."
Purdue's health center has the capabilities of
conducting anthrax tests, though Sager said they aren't a fun ordeal.
The test done for the upper-respiratory flu symptoms, or inhalation
anthrax, involves taking a nasal swab.
"It's a culture or swab that goes in the nostril,
the swab goes way in the back of the nose, almost where the throat begins,"
Sager said. "It's not like a throat swab, it goes in the nostril."
A blood sample or a biopsy of a skin lesion can
also be taken and studied by a pathologist to determine the presence
of anthrax. Sager said the results of such tests should come back within
24 to 48 hours, sparing any complications.
"If the lab thought they would be identifying anthrax,
it would be sent to the state lab and it would go by their timetable,"
Sager said. "If it was positive, we'd be working on taking care of this
patient as well as identifying health issues on campus."
So far at the health center or the Purdue Pharmacy
there hasn't been a rush for Cipro, one of the more common antibiotics
prescribed to combat anthrax. Susan White, director of the pharmacy,
said she hasn't seen an increased amount of requests for the drug.
"When the anthrax thing first came up I ordered
extra bottles of Cipro," White said. "But we haven't ordered any in
a couple days."
Sager said she's been told the pharmacy would be
able get the antibiotic supply it needs, though she said students haven't
visited the health center to specifically ask for Cipro.
"I know one student was given Cipro for a recent
infection and said 'oh good, that will help me if I get exposed,'" Sager
said, and she added Cipro treats many different infections. "The patients
jump to the conclusion, they think we're treating anthrax but there
are a lot of other uses that are appropriate."
Even with the current anthrax scare, Sager said
it's not necessary for people on campus to get tested, especially since
there haven't been any outbreaks in Indiana.
"Right now we're hoping for business as usual,
and we're thinking that's how it will be," Sager said.
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