H1N1 cases increase on campus, nationwide
Number of cases on campus difficult to estimate, Student Health Services director says
David Taintor
Issue date: 10/1/09 Section: Campus News
With flu season approaching, nursing student Jenna Holmes says washing hands with soap and water is essential to preventing H1N1 and seasonal flu.
As part of a public health class, Holmes is creating informational pamphlets to raise awareness about H1N1 and seasonal flu.
Holmes also addressed a common myth about H1N1.
"We want to let people know you can still eat pork," she said. "It has nothing to do with contaminated pigs. It's just that the virus is usually found in pigs. But, it's not like someone ate contaminated pig."
Director of Student Health Services Laura Chellman said H1N1 symptoms generally include fever with a cough or sore throat. She stressed that students should stay home 24 hours after their fever has subsided.
UW-Eau Claire has flu kits available for $7 at SHS, the Service Center and the front desks of residence halls, Chellman said. The kits include two surgical masks, hand sanitizer and a digital thermometer.
Holmes said people who think they may have H1N1 symptoms should call their health care provider first, because many clinics advise patients to take care of themselves from home.
Chellman said people should be aware of their symptoms.
"I would say there's certainly no reason to panic, however, I would say it requires some attention to what's going on," she said.
Senior nursing major Abby Zylla said hydration is important while recovering from the flu. Symptoms of the flu, such as fever, diarrhea and vomiting all lead to dehydration, she said, which is why it's also important to maintain electrolytes.
Holmes also stressed eating healthy while experiencing flu symptoms.
H1N1 was first detected in April 2009, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site. On June 11, the World Health Organization deemed it a pandemic, according to the same Web site.
H1N1 was initially called "swine flu" because the virus resembled influenza that normally occurred in North American pigs, according to the CDC. Further study found the new virus, H1N1, is very different from the strain found in pigs.
Holmes said H1N1 is different from seasonal flu because it affects a younger population. She said college students are more susceptible because they often life in close proximity to so many people. She encourages every college-aged student to at least get the seasonal flu shot.
H1N1, as well as seasonal flu, will usually run its course, she said. If symptoms progress, she said people should seek professional medical help.
"But if you're a regular college student, if you're healthy, if you stay active, you should be fine with H1N1," she said. "But I mean, I can't say that for everyone."
Chellman said H1N1 is generally pretty mild, and stressed that people keep calm. She said it's difficult to estimate how many cases of H1N1 exist on campus, but numbers at her clinic and other campuses around the nation have increased.
For more information about H1N1, visit the SHS Web site.
As part of a public health class, Holmes is creating informational pamphlets to raise awareness about H1N1 and seasonal flu.
Holmes also addressed a common myth about H1N1.
"We want to let people know you can still eat pork," she said. "It has nothing to do with contaminated pigs. It's just that the virus is usually found in pigs. But, it's not like someone ate contaminated pig."
Director of Student Health Services Laura Chellman said H1N1 symptoms generally include fever with a cough or sore throat. She stressed that students should stay home 24 hours after their fever has subsided.
UW-Eau Claire has flu kits available for $7 at SHS, the Service Center and the front desks of residence halls, Chellman said. The kits include two surgical masks, hand sanitizer and a digital thermometer.
Holmes said people who think they may have H1N1 symptoms should call their health care provider first, because many clinics advise patients to take care of themselves from home.
Chellman said people should be aware of their symptoms.
"I would say there's certainly no reason to panic, however, I would say it requires some attention to what's going on," she said.
Senior nursing major Abby Zylla said hydration is important while recovering from the flu. Symptoms of the flu, such as fever, diarrhea and vomiting all lead to dehydration, she said, which is why it's also important to maintain electrolytes.
Holmes also stressed eating healthy while experiencing flu symptoms.
H1N1 was first detected in April 2009, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site. On June 11, the World Health Organization deemed it a pandemic, according to the same Web site.
H1N1 was initially called "swine flu" because the virus resembled influenza that normally occurred in North American pigs, according to the CDC. Further study found the new virus, H1N1, is very different from the strain found in pigs.
Holmes said H1N1 is different from seasonal flu because it affects a younger population. She said college students are more susceptible because they often life in close proximity to so many people. She encourages every college-aged student to at least get the seasonal flu shot.
H1N1, as well as seasonal flu, will usually run its course, she said. If symptoms progress, she said people should seek professional medical help.
"But if you're a regular college student, if you're healthy, if you stay active, you should be fine with H1N1," she said. "But I mean, I can't say that for everyone."
Chellman said H1N1 is generally pretty mild, and stressed that people keep calm. She said it's difficult to estimate how many cases of H1N1 exist on campus, but numbers at her clinic and other campuses around the nation have increased.
For more information about H1N1, visit the SHS Web site.
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