CAMPUS/AREA UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, August 30, 1995
7A
Ah-choo! Allergy season arrives
Ragweed and molds are taking their toll
By Joann Birk
Kansan staff writer
Fall allergy season has arrived,
and it's back with a vengeance.
Common seasonal allergens
Charles Yockey, chief of staff at Watkins Memorial Health Center, said that allergies would be the most common diagnosis at Watkins during the next few weeks.
Watkins even ran out of a common antihistamine on Friday because so many students came in seeking relief.
Kelly Cannon/KANSAN
Source: Syntex Laboratories, Inc.
Yockey said students who wanted immediate allergy relief should search for an over-the-counter or prescription medicine that does not cause drowsiness or other side effects.
"Prescription antihistamines are much less sedating because they do not get into the brain like over-the-counter antihistamines," he said. "Some over-the-counter drugs work great but are not very conducive to going to class or work."
Yockey stressed that over-the-counter nasal sprays were dangerous and addictive after six doses or three days of use.
Students also should be careful not to treat sinus infections with
antihistamines, he said. Allergies are characterized by clear mucous, itchy eyes and sneezing, while infections are characterized by green or yellow mucous, possible fever and achiness.
The fall allergy season, which is usually the worst of the year, lasts until the first frost. For now, allergy sufferers can only expect things to get worse.
"The ragweed count was only 18 last week," said Debbie Ellis, allergy clinic nurse at Watkins. "This week it has already risen to 173."
Ellis said the ragweed count would continue to rise until Labor Day. And molds, which usually
begin to decline in August, have been on the rise.
to minimize allergic reactions, allergy sufferers should avoid the cause of their symptoms. Students with hay fever should stay inside as much as possible and use air conditioning, Ellis said.
But students can't always stay home and often can't afford to try numerous treatments.
Tyler Johnson, Springfield, Mo,
junior, said that he had tried
allergy shots and a variety of over-
the-counter medications.
"I just do not have the time or money to try anything else," Johnson said. "Usually I just suffer the allergy season out."
Judge rules in favor of Kansas' sexual predator law
The Associated Press
LARNED, Kan. — The state's sexual predator law on Monday won an early battle with a Kansas district, judge's dismissal of three legal actions against the measure, but it still faces a Sept. 11 hearing before the Kansas Supreme Court on constitutional grounds.
District Judge Barry Bennington dismissed the three actions against the law.
The law, passed last year, allows
people convicted of certain sex crimes to be kept in state hospitals after serving their criminal sentences until they are determined to be "cured" and no longer a danger to society.
The lawyers Monday argued that their clients were not getting specific, individualized counseling, which they said was required under the law.
Attorney Nancy Orrick of Olathe said she would appeal the decision
Orrick's client is Kenneth Hay, a convicted child molester.
immediately to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Hay had served 38 months in prison for five aggravated indecent solicitation convictions in Olathe and was preparing to leave prison last spring when he was designated a sexual predator and transferred to the custody of the state Social and Rehabilitation Services, which operates the state mental hospitals.
Let's talk about food and you.
If you have concerns about diet, eating patterns, or weight loss/gain/maintenance—make an appointment with the Watkins Dietitian, Ann Chapman at 864-9575 There is a fee for each dietitian visit. Call for details.
Free, weekly group starts Sept. 6; Wed., 7-8 p.m. Watkins 2nd Floor Conference Room.
Contacts: Barrie or Anne 864-4121.
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