It’s inevitable: every year, students get sick. But this year, the threat of H1N1 creates additional health concerns. On top of all that, college students are more at risk than others of being infected by H1N1.
The Gustavus Pandemic Advisory Committee—led by Heather Dale, director of health services and Ray Thrower, director of campus safety—is heading the response plan for a possible H1N1 influenza pandemic on campus.
“For the majority of the population, it isn’t something to be majorly concerned about,” Dale said. “We anticipate seeing [H1N1] on campus, but we are focusing on prevention.”
College preparation
“The College is taking it seriously,” Thrower said. “Gustavus didn’t just start pandemic planning this year, but it’s been in the works for the past ten years. We are constantly re-evaluating our emergency plans.”
“We are learning more every day but there is still much that is unknown [about the virus],” Dale said. “We are going to have to wait and see how [the virus] rolls out.”
Students can be assured that necessary precautions are being taken to keep the Gustavus community healthy. Campus officials are in close contact with Nicollet County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health. Gustavus has added more electric hand-sanitizers to public areas, including residence hall computer labs.
Though the College has no plans to close during an outbreak, it remains a possibility. “It is our full intention for [H1N1] to have as minimal of an impact as possible. We are not looking to close things down at this point,” Dale said. “But, we will modify [our plan] as necessary as we go.”
“We want our plans to be fluid so we can change with the recommendations,” Thrower said. “If colleges and high schools start closing down, it will be at the recommendation of the CDC. Right now, we are nowhere near that.”
The committee is doing its best to keep the campus community informed of developments, new requests and updated information as it becomes available. “I really appreciate the emails updating us on the steps [Gustavus is] taking and the information on what to do if you get [sick]. It makes me feel better that the College is making an attempt to communicate with us about this important issue,” Senior Theatre and English major Andrea Gullixson said.
Academic concerns
However, the incidence of influenza worries students who fear contracting an illness will set them back in academics, as they could be out of class for a week.
“It’s about the student when you are here,” Dale said. “I am confident that faculty will do what they can … It will just be an interesting and creative year.”
“[H1N1] will be affecting faculty, staff and our families too,” Professor of Political Science Chris Gilbert said. “All of us are very sensitive to the risks involved and very concerned about minimizing the spread of the illness.”
“This is not the moment to prove to me how committed you are to my class,” Assistant Professor of Religion Sarah Johnson said.
“I see the professors at Gustavus being sympathetic to students who get sick,” Junior Biology Major Azmina Bachelani said. “I don’t think students who are sick will have trouble getting extensions this year.”
H1N1 Basics
Because H1N1 influenza is very similar to seasonal influenza, it is difficult to distinguish between the two without medical tests. Thus, the Gustavus Pandemic Advisory Committee is using the term, “influenza-like illness.” At the time The Weekly went to press, Health Services knew of 15 probable cases of H1N1 reported at Gustavus. “For most people it is being managed with rest and plenty of fluids,” Dale said.
According to the Center for Disease Control, symptoms of H1N1 flu “include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.” The CDC adds that in some cases, the H1N1 virus may cause vomiting and diarrhea.
“I’m really not worried about [the flu],” Senior Political Science and Economics Major Jacob Danner said. “But I could see someone coming to class with it in its very early stages.”
Prevention
One of the best methods of preventing the flu is to get immunized. Two vaccines will be available this year: one for the H1N1 influenza and one for the seasonal flu. Gustavus will hold a seasonal flu vaccine clinic on Oct. 14 2009 for students and employees wishing to get immunized. In some cases, individuals are able to receive the seasonal flu vaccine now through an outside health care provider.
The H1N1 vaccine has not been released yet. “The CDC is working around the clock to finish clinical trials to ensure efficacy and safety before it’s released to the public,” Dale said. “But when it is [released], Gustavus will be near the top of the priority list, because students fall in a second-tier risk group.”
Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently will help prevent infection, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle. But wearing a mask does not decrease your risk of contracting H1N1. According to Dale and Thrower, infected people using public places, such as the restroom, should wear a mask. “But wearing a mask if you are healthy offers no protection,” Dale said.
Treatment and Recovery
The Gustavus Pandemic Advisory Committee asks that members of the Gustavus community who contract an influenza-like illness electronically report their symptoms to the College’s H1N1 influenza website. This will help campus officials gauge the spread of the virus and allow students to automatically alert their professors of their illness. In addition, students are able to order meals from the Market Place online.
As the H1N1 virus is extremely contagious, those who fall ill should isolate themselves and practice “social-distancing.” The core committee recommends that students consider going home if they fall ill.
“In most cases symptoms are lasting 3-5 days,” Dale said. “I would encourage people not to push themselves if they are sick. If people are pushing themselves to get through the illness too quickly, it’s going to weaken your immune system and potentially allow for secondary infections.”
In some rare cases, Tamiflu or Relenza—anti-viral medications—may help. “The current recommendation is to not give [Tamiflu or Relenza] to otherwise healthy people,” Dale said. But those who are hospitalized or have high-risk conditions might receive it.
Easing Fears
While the virus may cause significant health concerns among people worldwide, the H1N1 flu is no reason to panic. “Public health officials are making sure we are better educated [regarding H1N1] than ever before,” Thrower said. “People are prepared and understand the symptoms.”
In addition, it is important to understand the severity of the illness. “Pandemic does not mean ‘deadly,’” Dale said. “It refers to how [a disease] spreads. Pandemic does not refer to the severity of the illness. Right now it is a fairly mild illness, and it is manageable.”
Six steps of flu prevention
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water! Using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective.
- Get vaccinated! The seasonal flu immunization is currently available at some locations and the H1N1 vaccine will be available at a later date, likely in October.
- The seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent you from the H1N1 flu, so make sure to get both vaccines.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Cough into a tissue or into the sleeve of your shirt.
Do not share beverages, Chapstick, or other personal items with others - Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important to maintaining a healthy immune system. Eat health foods and get plenty of rest. Manage stress and anxiety effectively.
- Avoid contact with sick people. If you become ill, say home and rest!
We have had thousands of people ask what they can do and what they should look out for. Our number one answer is to tell people to wash their hands. Our number two answer isn’t talked about much and that is to train to yourself to keep your hands below your neckline during flu season.
H1N1 or Swine Flu is a bit scary but it a good thing to note that this virus is not that very deadly.