Infection on campus: Understanding the illnesses that spread among college students – The Tufts Daily

Report on Infectious Disease Management on College Campuses in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Campus Health and Global Goals

College campuses function as micro-communities where high-density living and social interaction accelerate the transmission of communicable diseases. Managing these health risks is critical to ensuring student well-being and academic continuity, directly aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report analyzes common infectious diseases prevalent in university settings and frames prevention and management strategies within the context of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Streptococcal Pharyngitis (Strep Throat) and SDG 3

Streptococcal pharyngitis is a bacterial infection caused by Group A Streptococcus, spreading rapidly through respiratory droplets in crowded environments like lecture halls and dormitories. Its management is a key component of achieving SDG 3.3, which aims to end epidemics of communicable diseases.

• Transmission: Spreads via coughing, sneezing, and sharing beverages, particularly during winter months when indoor congregation increases.
• Symptoms: Sudden onset of fever, painful swallowing, swollen lymph nodes, and white patches on the tonsils.
• Treatment and Prevention: Antibiotic therapy is essential to prevent severe complications. Public health protocols are critical for containment.

Preventive Measures and SDG Alignment

1. Adherence to Medical Advice: Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial for preventing antibiotic resistance and further spread, supporting SDG 3.
2. Hygiene Practices: Avoiding shared utensils and replacing toothbrushes post-diagnosis are simple yet effective measures that contribute to community health.
3. Isolation Protocols: Students should remain isolated until fever-free and for at least 12-24 hours after starting antibiotics, a risk reduction strategy that aligns with SDG 3.d (strengthening capacity for health risk management).

Infectious Mononucleosis and its Impact on Well-being

Caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr Virus, infectious mononucleosis affects a significant portion of the global population. Its prevalence on campuses underscores the need for health education and awareness to support SDG 3.

• Transmission: Spreads through contact with infected bodily fluids, making activities like kissing and sharing drinks or vapes primary transmission routes.
• Symptoms: Key symptoms include extreme fatigue, fever, sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes. Severe cases can lead to an enlarged spleen, requiring avoidance of contact sports.
• Management: Treatment is supportive, focusing on rest and hydration. The prolonged fatigue can significantly disrupt academic performance, highlighting a link between student health (SDG 3) and the ability to receive a quality education (SDG 4).

Norovirus and its Intersection with SDG 3 and SDG 6

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in group-living environments. Preventing its spread on campus is a direct application of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3.

• Transmission: The virus spreads through contaminated surfaces, food, and direct contact. It is highly resilient and can survive on surfaces for days, making dorms and dining halls high-risk areas.
• Symptoms: Abrupt onset of vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain, often leading to dehydration.

Prevention and SDG Linkages

1. Sanitation Infrastructure (SDG 6): Effective prevention requires rigorous handwashing with soap and water, as alcohol-based sanitizers are not fully effective. This emphasizes the importance of accessible and well-maintained sanitation facilities.
2. Surface Disinfection: Regular disinfection of shared spaces like bathrooms and kitchens with bleach-based cleaners is essential to break the chain of transmission.
3. Public Health Protocols (SDG 3): Infected individuals must isolate for 2-3 days after symptoms cease to prevent further outbreaks, a critical measure for managing community health risks.

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1): Health Education and SDG 3

Oral herpes (HSV-1) is a widespread viral infection, with initial onset often occurring in adolescence. Misconceptions about its transmission contribute to its high prevalence, making health literacy—a component of SDG 4—a vital prevention tool.

• Transmission: Spreads through oral-to-oral contact and sharing items like lip balm, drinks, or vapes. Asymptomatic viral shedding means the virus can be transmitted even when no sores are present.
• Symptoms: May include painful cold sores or blisters, though many carriers are asymptomatic. Outbreaks can be triggered by stress, lack of sleep, or hormonal changes.

Prevention through Education and Awareness

Combating the spread of HSV-1 aligns with SDG 3 by promoting informed health choices. Key strategies include:

• Promoting Health Literacy (SDG 4): Educating students about asymptomatic shedding is crucial to correcting the misconception that the virus is only transmissible during an active outbreak.
• Behavioral Changes: Encouraging practices like avoiding oral contact during outbreaks and not sharing personal items directly supports the goal of reducing communicable diseases (SDG 3.3).
• Responsible Health Practices: Normalizing discussions about STI testing among partners is an important public health intervention.

1. Addressed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly addresses SDG 3 by focusing on the health and well-being of the student population on college campuses. It discusses several communicable diseases (strep throat, mononucleosis, norovirus, and oral herpes), their transmission, symptoms, and prevention. The entire text is centered on protecting students’ individual health and the collective well-being of their campus communities by raising awareness and promoting preventive strategies against infectious diseases, which is a core component of ensuring healthy lives for all.

2. Identified SDG Targets

1. Target 3.3: End epidemics and combat communicable diseases

   This target aims to “end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases” by 2030. The article is entirely focused on combating communicable diseases within a specific community. It details the causes, transmission routes, and prevention methods for bacterial infections like Streptococcus and viral infections such as Epstein-Barr Virus (mono), norovirus, and Herpes Simplex Virus 1. By educating students on how to prevent outbreaks through measures like handwashing, not sharing utensils, and isolation when sick, the article directly contributes to the goal of combating the spread of these diseases.

2. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and medicines

   The article touches upon this target by mentioning specific treatments for the diseases discussed. For strep throat, it states that “antibiotic treatment with drugs like amoxicillin or penicillin is required.” For oral herpes, it notes that “antiviral medications can help shorten outbreaks.” This highlights the importance of access to essential medicines as a key part of managing these health issues. The discussion of when to see a doctor and the need for proper diagnosis implies the necessity of access to healthcare services for the student population.

3. Target 3.d: Strengthen capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks

   This target focuses on strengthening the capacity for early warning and management of health risks. The article serves as a tool for this by educating the campus community. It emphasizes “early symptom recognition and preventive strategies” to “significantly reduce outbreaks.” By explaining how diseases spread in high-density environments like dorms and dining halls, and providing clear guidelines—such as isolating for 2-3 days after norovirus symptoms stop or staying home from class with strep throat—the article aims to strengthen the community’s capacity to reduce and manage the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.

3. Mentioned or Implied Indicators

1. Incidence of specific communicable diseases

   The article implies the need to track the incidence of diseases like strep throat, mononucleosis, norovirus, and oral herpes. It notes that these illnesses “tend to circulate widely among young adults” and that researchers in the 1960s studied “unusually high rates” of mononucleosis among university students. This suggests that measuring the number of new cases of these diseases on campus over a period is a key indicator of the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, directly relating to Target 3.3.

2. Proportion of the population with access to essential medicines

   By mentioning that strep throat requires antibiotics and herpes can be managed with antiviral medications, the article implies an indicator related to treatment access. Progress towards Target 3.8 could be measured by tracking the proportion of students diagnosed with these conditions who successfully receive the prescribed essential medicines. This would reflect the accessibility and quality of campus health services.

3. Knowledge and practice of preventive health measures

   The article’s primary goal is to increase awareness. It details specific preventive actions: “proper handwashing with soap,” “disinfecting surfaces with bleach-based cleaners,” “avoiding shared utensils,” and understanding “asymptomatic viral shedding.” An implied indicator for Target 3.d would be the level of knowledge and adoption of these practices among the student population. Measuring students’ understanding of transmission routes and their adherence to preventive behaviors would indicate the success of health education efforts in strengthening risk reduction capacity.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tuftsdaily.com