Preparing for flu season
By: Travis Lawson
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: News
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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, flu cases in the U.S. are expected to rise in the coming winter months.
"We still don't know how serious it is going to be," Clark said.
Influenza thrives in cold weather, infecting others via droplets of mucus that leave the body through sneezing and coughing.
"If you are sick, go home and stay home, and don't return to school until you have been free of fever for at least 24 hours without the help of medicines," Clark said.
Recently, cases of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus have been on the increase at college campuses. Washington State University reported nearly 2,000 students experiencing flu-like symptoms since the semester began 10 days ago; it is not known how many of the cases are related to the H1N1 virus.
According to the Associated Press, Amherst College in Massachusetts cleared out two residential dorms to isolate students with H1N1. The school also installed additional hand sanitizing dispensers in various buildings, residential halls and dining facilities on campus.
A&M has had its own problems with the flu. An unconfirmed number of College Station residents came down with the seasonal flu and H1N1 virus this summer.
"There have been cases of H1N1 in the community and on campus throughout the summer," said A.P. Beutel Health Center director Dr. Martha Dannenbaum. "At Student Health Services we have seen an increase in numbers of students with influenza-like illness (ILI) compared to last year."
With this in mind, A&M is taking precautions to ensure that the flu is managed efficiently, and that students stay as safe as possible from the virus.
"We have a flu team working with various health officials to finalize a plan," said Texas A&M University Marketing and Communications vice president Jason Cook.
The University is urging all students that begin experiencing flu-like symptoms to visit Beutel Health Center as soon as possible. The center is located at the intersection of Ole Main Drive and Houston Street, next to the YMCA Building.
Seasonal flu shots will be available Oct. 7-8 during the Student Health Center's annual influenza campaign. The shots will be available at four locations on campus: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m at the Commons Lobby, Wehner and Zachry buildings and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Recreation Center. The first 5,200 students will receive a shot at no charge. After that, the charge will be $23 per shot.
For more information regarding the H1N1 flu and to learn more about how to stay safe during this flu season, log on to the University Web site at shs.tamu.edu.
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