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Aria Chawla

Aria Chawla is a contributing writer for the Daily. Aria is a senior majoring in Cognitive Science and Economics and can be reached at Aria.Chawla@tufts.edu.

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Science

Infection on campus: Understanding the illnesses that spread among college students

By Aria Chawla | November 24

College campuses are uniquely efficient environments for spreading infectious diseases. Students live in close quarters, share dining spaces, attend crowded classes and frequently exchange drinks, utensils or vapes — all behaviors that accelerate viral and bacterial transmission. Because of these conditions, illnesses such as strep throat, infectious mononucleosis, norovirus and oral herpes tend to circulate widely among young adults. Understanding how these diseases spread, what symptoms to monitor and how to prevent outbreaks is integral for the protection of students’ individual health and the wellbeing of their campus communities.

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Science

Guillain-Barré syndrome explained: The rare paralytic disease surging in Gaza

By Aria Chawla | September 25

Amid the near-total Israeli blockade, those in Gaza are facing a new threat to their lives — paralytic diseases. According to Nasser Hospital’s head of pediatrics, Dr. Ahmed Al-Farra, “Before the war, we used to see one case of Guillain-Barré syndrome yearly, but in the last three months, we have already diagnosed nearly 100 cases. We are seeing an outbreak of acute flaccid paralysis as a result … Patients are fatigued, unable to stand or sit. Then, as the paralysis increases, it affects patients’ respiratory muscles and can lead to respiratory failure. This can, in some cases, result in cardiac arrest.” 

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Science

A new era for US vaccines: RFK Jr. restructures CDC advisory committee

By Aria Chawla | September 4

On June 9, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. removed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s key vaccine advisory panel — and replaced them with his own appointees. Established in 1964, ACIP develops national vaccine recommendations, including schedules and safety guidelines, which influence coverage under Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance.

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