There are several diseases and illnesses that are major concerns amid the college audience. As HIV and other STDs are located at the top of the list, illnesses such as the common cold and stomach viruses are found near the bottom of the ongoing list. Over the past few months, the H1N1 flu outbreak has turned into a serious epidemic that has caught the attention and concern of not only the middle aged and elderly American citizens, but the college students as well.
Shirley Wade, Director/ Nurse Practitioner of the Baranco Student Health Center, says that because of H1N1 flu epidemic, which is also commonly known as “Swine Flu;” everyone who has symptoms of the formal flu are tested with the Rapid Flu Test and are treated as patients with the swine flu.
If the results turn out negative, they are treated as if they have the H1N1 virus. If it is positive, a viral culture is then performed. The specimen is sent away to a local lab for three days until the test results are produced. If the test results come back positive, the patient is treated as if he or she has swine flu.
If a patient is diagnosed with the illness, extreme precautions are taken to ensure that the illness is not bequeathed to anyone else.
The Health Center along with housing are working tediously to keep everything sanitized. If a residential student is diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, the student is ordered to report back to his or her room for self-isolation for at least 24-48 hours. Majority of the time, students can be released from self-isolation if they did not have a fever or had to take fever-relieving medication such as Tylenol within a 24-hour period. If the student has a roommate, housing tries to find an available room just for the patient to reside in until he or she is released from under the doctor’s care.
Wade is also in the process of getting Gatorade care packages for students that have contracted the illness.
“My suggestion to all students that possibly has the virus is that you should go to your residence and stay secluded within your own space. If you are a resident on campus and you live only an hour or two away, go home and let your family take care of you until you are nursed back to good health. It is better to prevent others from catching the virus as passing it on to others.” Wade stated.
“I have had only one case where the test results came back positive. I cannot officially say that the patient is a H1N1 case because the H1N1 breakage has reached the pandemic stage. Therefore, we have treated the patient as if he had the virus. Three days later, I examined the patient again and he was fine.” This happened earlier during the semester.
“We use the Rapid Flu Test in all possible cases as a confirmatory test.” Wade continued. “It’s always good to be safe and not sorry.”
“I think that we (the university) are very fortunate for not having a severe outbreak on the campus. We are working hard in keeping everything sanitized and keeping everyone aware of the virus.” said Wade, but other students differ.
Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies majors, Jessica Young (junior) and Kasey Harris (senior) feel that the illness is a threat to the university. They strongly believe if people would keep up their hygiene, sanitize their hands, and sanitize personal belongings the epidemic would not be as serious as it is today.
”The student body needs to become conscious to the fact that this is serious issue,” said Billy Washington, a senior education major. “Students, commuter and resident, need to stop being so trifling and unsanitary. We need to clean up behind ourselves before others become diagnosed with the swine flu. If people would keep themselves and their surroundings clean, the epidemic would not be such a threat.”
Kimberly Fleming, also a senior education major says, “I am concerned about the swine flu as it a threat and this it is not being taken seriously by many.” “We, the students, aren’t being notified if there are any cases on campus and nothing is being done to prevent future cases.”
On the other hand, Wade acknowledged that, posters are being created and will be posted around campus to inform students about the symptoms of the H1N1 virus.
If you feel or sense that you have the flu, you must see a doctor immediately so you can be treated.
To prevent the swine flu, there are a few precautions must be observed. They are as follows:
-Clean your hands: Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
-Cover your mouth and nose: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. This will prevent those around you from getting sick.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
-Avoid close contact: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
-Stay home when you are sick: If possible, stay home from work, school and avoid running errands when you are sick. This will help prevent others from catching your illness.
-Practice other good health habits: get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, symptoms of the H1N1 virus include fevers or chills, coughs or sore throats, runny noses, body aches, headaches, fatigue, diarrhea and/ or vomiting.
CDC also acknowledges that visits to doctors for influenza-like illness were highest in February during the 2008-09 flu seasons, but proliferated again in April 2009 after the new 2009 H1N1 virus emerged. Routinely visits to doctors for influenza-like illnesses are down from April, but are higher than what was expected in the summer and have also increased over the last three weeks. Total influenza hospitalization rates for adults and children are similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates. Children are similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates depending on age group, but are high than expected during this time of the year. Almost all of the influenza viruses identified were the new 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These 2009 H1N1 viruses remain similar to the viruses chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine and remain susceptible to antiviral drugs with rare exception.
Vaccinations for the H1V1 virus are scheduled to be distributed near mid-October. The vaccination, which is a total of two injections, will be given at the Baranco Health Center. The state will provide the vaccinations. Target groups that are recommended to receive the H1N1 vaccination include pregnant women, individuals that live or care for children younger than the age of 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, and individuals between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old. Those ages 25-64 are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The vaccination for influenza will also be available at the Student Health Center on a first come, first serve bases. The shots will be $25 a piece and will consist on one injection. Those recommended by the CDC to receive the vaccination include children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday, pregnant women, individuals 50 years old or older, anyone with certain chronic medical conditions, those who live in nursing homes, and individuals who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from the flu.
It is anticipated that people will be able to receive both vaccinations at the same time.
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Southern prepares for H1N1 virus
September 14, 2009
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