Trojan Fever: October 2013
 
 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Daily Trojan: A Look Back at the Fever



September has been a tumultuous month for the student body--the weather has been hot, the school has been hard, and, of course, people have grown horns.

The first week of October was a blur. Die-hard fans were still reeling from the football loss (or maybe from the dizziness associated with the fever). Sorority girls in Pi Beta Phi were actually freaking out about how their Halloween costumes would look too much like their arch enemies in Kappa Alpha Theta. Midterms were impossible between the hysterical laughter and wails hidden by violent hiccups. Not to mention EVK was a little more rough on people's stomachs this week.

October 10th rolled around, and it was Gameday. More incentive for people to get in the fountains, you could say. But then, something miraculous happened. And I'm not talking about the holes some of the players had to cut in their helmets to accommodate their horns.

As the USC Trojans began to rally against the Arizona Wildcats, students at tailgates across the residential halls noticed feeling less giggly. They could eat their Ruffles chips and hot dogs without feeling sick. Slowly but surely, the "V" for victory that had been sprouting from their heads began to recede. After the Trojans pulled off a 62-21 victory, there were no more reported cases of Trojan Fever. Students once again played in the fountain for leisure rather than necessity, and people stopped trying to exorcise their demons in the Lyon Center.



Was it a ghost? The Trojan Spirit? Was it a loss of faith in our school, our pride, our identity? Was it just a biological mystery? We might never know. But at least we know that, as always, we can fight on.
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Exclusive: Keck School of Medicine Virology Report on Project TRFV, "Trojan Fever" September 15, 2013

Keck School of Medicine Reports 2013: doi:10.1136/bcr-2013-200946

CASE REPORT


Troius febris pathology indeterminate



Department of Virology, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California

SUMMARY

Infectious diseases are naturally more prevalent in close-quartered living, a trend that was often seen in the tenement-style housing during the Industrial Revolution. It is not surprising a highly contagious pathogen can be hosted in these conditions, particularly when considering the warm, hospitable climate. However, a disease that can cause such rapid phenotypic mutations has yet to be studied, let alone documented. A case is reported here of a 19-year-old woman with symptoms of nausea, uncontrollable laughing and contractions of the diaphragm (hiccuping), as well as cutaneous horn growth. One week prior to admission she reported surveying the demolishing cite of the University of Southern California's former Student Health Center (SHC); at this location she was exposed to airborne particles that have been released from the ground during excavation. There was no significant medical history. She took no regular medications and had no known allergies. Her mother had been against childhood vaccinations due to the adverse publicity associated with them. An examination conducted at Engemann Student Health Center revealed pulse of 110 bpm, normal blood pressure and slight fever at 37.5 degrees Celsius. Samples were taken from blood, cheek and throat.

Upon further examination of the samples, in addition to the others that were collected after the spike in incidents, it became evident that this was a new pathogen to modern medicine. Though various tests were performed, scientists were unable to sequence the viral RNA to indicate any homology with other known diseases. The virus did not respond to any antibiotics. A problem researchers encountered was the odd disappearance of any trace of infection in samples after 48 hours. This is particularly unusual considering the patient still experienced the symptoms of the disease; however, after being stained and examined under the light microscope, there was no evidence of any unusual deviation from the norm. Thus, the pathology of what has been commonly referred to as "Trojan Fever" is currently unknown and unable to be determined with existing technology.



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Official Statement from USC President C. L. Max Nikias

C. L. Max Nikias
Statement by C. L. Max Nikias, President, University of Southern California, on the Trojan Fever outbreak and the impact on student and campus life

Students:

I understand that now is a troubling time for the University. There is confusion and panic, misunderstanding and fear. There are questions, and even more concerns.

My desire for you, dear students, now more than ever, is to embrace your digital literacy. As we can see from this horrible epidemic, as the future actors in civil society you must recognize that the media will play an increasing role in how we perceive the world we live in. I urge you to question the verity of news sources. To question the culture of fear. To act with responsibility, to base these actions on informed perspectives.

You must not forget in times of trial and tribulation that we are, and always will be, the Trojan Family. We will fight on. Do not forget, either, the qualities that make you a Trojan; the characteristics that we as a University saw in you. Each and every individual at the University of Southern California has been hand-selected, has been chosen. You have been chosen because we believe that you can succeed in this challenging environment we find ourselves in today.

Be faithful. To those surrounding you, to those trying to help you. Trust. Trust in yourself, your professors, and trust in the University of Southern California.

Be scholarly. Now, more than ever, it is student-led research, projects, and initiatives that have the greatest impact on our community. Become involved. Provide a fresh stance on the issue.

Be skillful. At this University, you all thrive in your own niches. Each player is important. Use your talents to not only advance your cause but the cause of the Trojan spirit. It is in times like these when problem solving is three-dimensional and complex. The task does not rest solely on scientists, but journalists, businessmen and women, lawyers, musicians.

Be courageous. This is a time of strife for all of us. Do not give in to fear, panic, confusion. Continue to Fight On.

Finally, be ambitious. Challenges are a double-edged sword. In the face of danger, they offer an unparalleled opportunity for personal, professional, and societal growth. Seize this occasion.

I trust that you will all, as you always have, carry on with these ideals in mind and keep the Trojan spirit close to your heart. As a community, I have no doubt that we will tackle this problem head-on with remarkable success.

September 13, 2013
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