Watkins Health Center Sees Rise in Student Respiratory Infections Blog News 09/16/2016 Tweet Physicians at Watkins Health Center have noticed an increase in respiratory infections among University of Kansas students this semester. Symptoms of these very contagious viruses often manifest as severe allergy-like symptoms. These viruses are preventable, and Watkins Health Center physicians advise students to wash or sanitize their hands often, especially after touching public surfaces or before touching one’s face or eating.