H1N1, more commonly known as Swine Flu, is causing quite a commotion all across the nation, especially on university and college campuses. It was first introduced to people in the United States in April 2009 and other reports of H1N1 have been detected in people in neighboring countries Canada and Mexico. This virus is similar to the seasonal influenza in that it spreads easily from one person to the next; however, this virus has received more press because of the unanticipated amplification of the illness in the spring.
Last April, just as the H1N1 virus was picking up momentum, schools across the country started reporting outbreaks on their campuses. University of Delaware, University of Notre Dame, San Diego State University, and California State University at Long Beach all reported cases of their students having this strain of the virus.
Now that summer is over and schools are back in session, colleges and universities across the country are taking extra precautions to prevent a swine flu outbreak on their campus.
Recent reports revealed that there are at least 2,500 students at Washington State University who are confirmed as having some strain of influenza. Also, the University at Lawrence reported forty-seven of their students were suffering from influenza-like symptoms following the first weekend on campus.
As of September 12th, 2009, the Health and Wellness Center at Lehigh University has confirmed its first case of H1N1 influenza virus on its campus. The situation is controlled in that the student was in immediate contact with the Health and Wellness Center and has fully recovered from all symptoms.
This past weekend, a twenty-year old male student from Cornell University died of complications from the H1N1 virus. More than 500 Cornell students are confirmed with having flu-like symptoms, and the College is taking this matter very seriously. They are trying to deal with the situation at hand, while preventing a further outbreak.
So why are college and university campuses such an easy target for the H1N1 virus? Communicable diseases, like this one, are easily spread when people are living in close quarters. From sharing public or dormitory bathrooms, groups of people sleeping together, classroom spaces, computer laboratories, and so on, these germs disperse and infect people at an incredibly rapid rate.
If the seasonal influenza virus causes an estimated 36,000 deaths per year, why is there so much commotion surrounding the H1N1 virus?
For starters, the disease is more highly infectious than the standard flu. Furthermore, outbreaks that occurred last spring prove to people that this virus is able to spread faster and presents more harm to an entire locale, and even more significantly, an entire country.
The outbreak of the virus in 2009 in the United Sates was made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses including the swine influenza virus found in Asia and Europe, North American swine influenza, human influenza, and North American avian influenza.
Muhlenberg Campus is highly concerned with the potential detrimental impact the H1N1 virus may have on its students, staff, and faculty this fall. Public health officials have expressed concern that the H1N1 virus will return to the Pennsylvania area this fall with an increase in cases as early as late September and early October. Chrysan Cronin, a member of the H1N1 Preparedness Committee, states, "We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best."
In preparation for this potentially dreadful endemic, Muhlenberg College will be following the "CDC GUIDANCE for Responses to Influenza Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year." These guidelines are aimed at reducing the intensity of the disease and diminishing its expansion.
Within these plans, the CDC highly suggests the notion of "social isolation" in which individuals with any variety of flu-like symptoms should be exempt from academic and other public hobbies for at least twenty-four hours after they no longer have a fever without the ingestion of fever reducing medicine.
H1N1 symptoms include runny nose, muscle aches, cough, fever, and sore throat. These students should also stay away from communal places such as the library, dining hall, and sports complex. If students, faculty, or staff are experiencing any symptoms, it is recommended that they leave campus and not return until they are all better. Muhlenberg College will also be implementing an educational campaign in which posters about the virus and crucial prevention methods will be hung up all around campus.
There are many ways to prevent the spread of H1N1 Flu. First, clean your hands multiple times throughout the day with soap and warm water or use alcohol based hand sanitizers when water is not available. Next, stay away from people who are sick and always make sure to cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
Furthermore, get sufficient sleep and eat healthy, balanced meals during the day. Do not smoke or drink excessive alcohol. Lastly, try to avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes considering that is an easy way for germs to enter your system.
H1N1 is treatable as long as you follow the necessary procedures. If you are diagnosed with H1N1 it is very crucial that you keep your throat moist and increase the amount of fluids that you consume. Make sure to nourish your body with foods that are easy to swallow such as gelatin desserts, ice cream, soup, fruit juices, Gatorade, and so on. Also, you must receive extra sleep and let your body rest. In addition, taking Tylenol or Advil will help lower your fever and ease your aches.
Within the next few weeks the Muhlenberg Health Center will be receiving hundreds of doses of the seasonal flu vaccine. The college highly encourages all students, staff, and faculty to receive this vaccine to help prevent a flu outbreak.
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