Wellness at Penn treating ‘a lot of’ upper respiratory illness as students return from break

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Wellness at Penn treating ‘a lot of’ upper respiratory illness as students return from break

01-14-25-locust-walk-chenyao-liu

Locust Walk on Jan. 14.
Credit: Chenyao Liu

Wellness at Penn has been treating respiratory illnesses such as the cold and flu amidst a return to pre-COVID-19 levels of winter sickness among students.

In a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian, Associate Medical Director of Student Health and Counseling Maria Pellecchia and Executive Director of Public Health and Wellbeing Ashlee Halbritter noted that Wellness at Penn has been treating “a lot of” upper respiratory illnesses alongside gastrointestinal issues such as nausea and vomiting. In particular, Pellecchia and Halbritter pointed to the flu as one of the most common illnesses seen by Penn health professionals as students return from winter break.

“[The] flu is definitely circulating among our student population currently. It remains elevated across the city as well,” Pellecchia and Halbritter wrote. 

Pellecchia and Halbritter urged students to remain vigilant in the coming months. Throughout February, they predict continued cases of influenza and other upper-repository illnesses. In March, they expect a “spike of gastrointestinal illness … things like norovirus and sometimes travel-related illnesses.” 

To avoid contracting these illnesses, Pellecchia and Halbritter recommend students stay home when sick, wear a mask when exposed to illness, wash their hands with soap and warm water, and get vaccinated.

“It’s not too late to get your flu shot and COVID booster! We’re only halfway through the respiratory season. Flu shots are still available to students through Wellness at Penn’s medical care office,” Pellecchia and Halbritter wrote. 

“And, it certainly helps when Penn students are able to prioritize sleep, eat colorful foods, drink water, and get outside,” they added. 

In addition, Pellecchia and Halbritter recommend that students consider making travel health appointments ahead of spring break. Since many medications and vaccines take several weeks to become fully effective, they advised students, especially those who are planning to travel, to schedule an appointment with Student Health and Counseling within the next few weeks.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of respiratory infection across the country are “high” currently, with rates of influenza increasing. In Pennsylvania, according to the CDC, rates for respiratory illness are also listed as “high,” with emergency room visits for the flu shown to be increasing.


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