H1N1 likely on campus
By: Peter Wright, Managing Editor
Issue date: 9/18/09 Section: News
"It's absolutely understandable that people want to come here," Walters said. "The flu itself isn't what necessarily hurts people."
Walters said the flu virus makes people more likely to pick-up secondary bacterial infections, and going to the clinic could increase that risk. If someone with flu-like symptoms starts to get worse after several days or if they have a condition that puts them at extra risk, like asthma, they should visit a clinic, she said.
Walters said anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home and call Health services (x6275).
She said the clinic has drafted a series of questions about symptoms that they will ask over the phone. If the caller's answers sound like the flu, they will be told to stay home or in their dorm rooms until 24 hours after their fever has broken.
Walters said the entire process from diagnosis to response has been shaped by suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health.
"The nice thing for us is we don't have to pull this out of thin air," she said.
Preparing for a Pandemic
Laurie Hamre said the school has made arrangements to encourage sick students to stay in their rooms.
Infected students are provided with a flu kit, which contains thermometers, a mask and Ibuprofen, among other things.
She said students on campus can have a friend, or staff member if necessary, bring them food from Café Mac. Staff members will check on students off campus to make sure they have access to food, and can make arrangements to get them food if there is a problem.
Hamre said for now the school is focused on keeping awareness high. Students seem to be taking H1N1 a little more seriously now that their friends are getting sick, she said.
"I do know that the campus has heightened awareness about...taking care of themselves," she said.
Perhaps the most visible preparation for the pandemic is the sudden appearance of hand sanitizer in almost all offices on campus.
Walters said the flu virus makes people more likely to pick-up secondary bacterial infections, and going to the clinic could increase that risk. If someone with flu-like symptoms starts to get worse after several days or if they have a condition that puts them at extra risk, like asthma, they should visit a clinic, she said.
Walters said anyone with flu-like symptoms should stay home and call Health services (x6275).
She said the clinic has drafted a series of questions about symptoms that they will ask over the phone. If the caller's answers sound like the flu, they will be told to stay home or in their dorm rooms until 24 hours after their fever has broken.
Walters said the entire process from diagnosis to response has been shaped by suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health.
"The nice thing for us is we don't have to pull this out of thin air," she said.
Preparing for a Pandemic
Laurie Hamre said the school has made arrangements to encourage sick students to stay in their rooms.
Infected students are provided with a flu kit, which contains thermometers, a mask and Ibuprofen, among other things.
She said students on campus can have a friend, or staff member if necessary, bring them food from Café Mac. Staff members will check on students off campus to make sure they have access to food, and can make arrangements to get them food if there is a problem.
Hamre said for now the school is focused on keeping awareness high. Students seem to be taking H1N1 a little more seriously now that their friends are getting sick, she said.
"I do know that the campus has heightened awareness about...taking care of themselves," she said.
Perhaps the most visible preparation for the pandemic is the sudden appearance of hand sanitizer in almost all offices on campus.
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