For the last couple of weeks, Oberlin College students have been suffering bouts of a short but serious illness. Those students not affected by the illness have been made nervous by persistent rumors of food poisoning resulting from on-campus dining halls. Director of Student Health Services Laura Hieronymus has confirmed that it is a viral illness that can’t be traced to any food source.

Hieronymus gave the Review an account of the virus’s progression on campus.

“On Tuesday we were notified by the [Allen Memorial Hospital] emergency room that they had seen a very large number of students with similar complaints,” said Hieronymus. “I think it was something like 16 cases in 24 hours. We had seen some cases as well.”

Dean of Students Linda Gates was notified and asked for a full-fledged investigation. Hieronymus first went to the ER and confirmed that the illness was viral. She then confirmed with ResEd that the illness did not come from food, checking the swipe card records of affected students to see if there was a pattern in where they ate, while additionally asking students to give accounts of their recent meals.

“Everyone had eaten in different places,” said Hieronymus. “Some had eaten at Stevenson, some at Dascomb, some hadn’t eaten on campus at all, some had skipped lunch and eaten at the [Im/migration rights] protest....So we ruled out a food source — which is very important.”

Hieronymus said that the symptoms of the illness can be “somewhat severe.” It seems to always include abdominal cramping and pain. It includes nausea and vomiting or “profuse” diarrhea, or both.

Hieronymus laid out what to do if affected by the virus.

“We’re recommending that people drink lots of fluids,” said Hieronymus. “It doesn’t matter which symptoms you have, just keep on sipping. Stay at home and in bed. Wash your hands a lot to prevent the spread.

“Most people have been fine without going to the emergency room,” she said. “But if you feel like you’re getting dehydrated, then you should go.”

The virus seems to pass after 24-48 hours.