At universities nationwide, fraternity sponsored Rush Week is an involved event. Interested men are bussed from house to house in hopes of getting a “bid.” However, at Florida State University, Rush has been put on hold due to an outbreak of a virus usually associated with babies and toddlers.
Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious virus that spreads quickly from person to person. Blisters may form on hands, feet, or in the mouth of the infected. Rush week puts a lot of people in tight spaces and Pi Kappa Phi member Ben Levine says it may be a while before the outbreak stops.
"I don’t really think that disease is going away any time soon." Levine said. "Especially in one day, because one of the biggest parts of rush is. Like, I was a greeter, so I was standing out front, and people would walk by and I would have to stick out my hand and just shake random people’s hands all night. And, any time you meet someone new, you’re shaking someone’s hand."
FSU health officials have confirmed at least over a dozen cases of infections. Doctors say the disease usually goes away on its own. Since the blisters can be painful, it is recommended to take ibuprofen, and as with any virus or illness, to stay hydrated.