Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is monitoring an “adenovirus outbreak” on Penn State’s campus. And, although campus numbers appear to be similar to last year, the university issued a news release last week so those with underlying medical conditions know to take precautions.
Adenoviruses are a common group of viruses that typically cause flu-like symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and people with weakened immune systems or cardiac/respiratory disease are at risk of becoming seriously ill.
According to the state DOH, it first learned of Penn State’s increase in influenza-like illness through a nationwide system (ILINet) that tracks healthcare visits for flu-like symptoms. With more students seeking care at University Health Services (UHS), testing then detected an increased spate of adenovirus and other respiratory viruses involving students…