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Swine flu hits college campuses
The Health Center prepares for the H1N1 virus
Sarah Mednick / Roundup
As flu season approaches, more worries arise about the H1N1 virus and how students can protect themselves.
The H1N1, or Swine influenza, is a flu virus found in pigs. The virus has changed and can be transferred to humans, and is currently a worldwide pandemic.
Beth Benne, director of the Pierce College Student Health Center, said the virus is not as severe as the flu, but she is afraid the numbers will go up once flu season arrives.
“It’s hard to keep track of the students and faculty, and makes it harder to pinpoint any cases,” Benne said.
The health center is going to protect students by putting up posters, handing out pamphlets on the virus and giving away free hand sanitizer.
David Follosco, interim vice president, said, “Our goal is to get the word out to limit the spread of the flu.”
According to an article by WebMD, the American College Health Association reported more than 2,000 cases of the flu among colleges across the country.
“We’re hoping that doesn’t emerge as an enormous problem, but we just don’t know,” Joy McCaslin, Ph.D, interim president, said.
“Some (colleges) are being hit hard. We’re worried about that.”
Benne said the Los Angeles County is expected to receive the H1N1 virus in mid October. If the county gets the vaccine, the Health Center will be giving it out to students and faculty for free.
The one worry she has is how many are they going to get and how many the county will be getting.
“If you are having (an) influenza-like illness with all the symptoms, stay at home,” Benne said.
“Stay at home for 24 hours after the fever is gone without the usage of Tylenol, Advil or aspirin.” Symptoms include body aches, muscle aches, coughing, sneezing, fever over 100 degrees and possible abdominal problems. The best ways to prevent contracting the virus are washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into a sleeve instead of your hand.
