While America is entering its flu season, Swine Flu comes around the corner in full effect as many reported cases are seen all across the country
Swine Flu breaks out in America’s college population as classes drag on during fall and winter months
Be sure to stop by the University Health Center at the first sign of trouble
Swine flu. The virus that’s currently got our nation in a frenzy and crowds of people lining up to get their vaccine. How can we be sure that this new strain of the so-called “swine flu” is going to be prevented among colleges and universities across the country and prevented from becoming something of a larger scale problem than it already is? There are many different ways of knowing first off, what the symptoms of this virus are, and secondly, some possible ways to prevent it from attacking you.
First lets look at how one can be sure that the H1N1 virus is actually what you have? Although there is no positive way to tell that the virus is present in a single patient without careful lab analysis, people with H1N1 typically experience many of the same symptoms as the seasonal flu, but in a much grander scale, some examples include: sore throat, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. According to an online database, some doctors offer a rapid test to determine whether or not the flu is present in your body, but it depends on the quality of the manufacturer’s test as to how trustworthy the results are. Just because a negative result comes back, the virus still may not be present. Secondly, lets have a look at some of the possible ways that one can keep from getting this virus in the first place. WebMD suggests that people
Be sure to use your upper sleeve or a tissue when sneezing or coughing to help prevent the spread of germs
“Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, avoid close contact, and avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes”. If people are experiencing flu-like symptoms, suggestions have also been made that you stay home for at least 7 days, or until you’ve been symptom free for a 24 hour period, whichever is longer.
Lots of sleep helps to both prevent and fight off the virus
As college students, we can be and are among the list of people to be at a higher risk for contracting the virus. “Personally I’m not worried about the virus”, Says Zac Primley, a Portland State University student, “I’m in good enough shape, and typically eat well enough to not worry about getting sick. Plus I don’t have time to be sick right now so why worry about it?” In going along with being college aged students living on college campuses all across the country, University of Portland Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Life, John Goldrick encourages students and “high-risk adults from 25 to 64 years old” to be among those who should seriously consider being vaccinated for H1N1. Another college student, John Deatherage comments, “I’ve already been vaccinated for the virus; I feel that it’s important that everybody at least take heed to the warning that anybody could get sick from this thing.” Whether they be college aged students or older adults, everyone is susceptible to contracting the flu, but it becomes more of a risk among people who have prior health problems and/or pre-existing health conditions. Grandmother of 9 Elaine Brauckmiller feels that it is of utmost importance that we consider the possible dangers to our community with this virus. “If something were to happen to me because of the virus, who would be there to take care of the family? How would everybody react to me being hospitalized? I feel that the best route is to be vaccinated and try to stay healthy by eating right and sleeping enough.” Husband Bob couldn’t agree more in saying that he “is glad that we got immunized right away. Now we can sleep at night in hopes that everything will turn out okay.”
Regularly washing your hands helps to prevent the spread of germs among those most at risk
People with prior health conditions and college-aged students are among the group or considered “higher risk”, but it is still up to the individual as to what will ultimately be done to prevent the possibility of a contraction. As was stated, one should always consider avoiding close contact with other people, and should always wash/sanitize hand regularly to help in preventing H1N1. It is up to you, will you be able to fend of the mighty H1N1?
