What to do to “Shoo the Flu” Hope Frank

The temperature outside may be dropping, but body temperatures are just heating up. Extensive media reports on H1N1, previously referred to as Swine Flu, have brought about a heightened awareness of the flu this season. Student Health Service has seen a dramatic increase in administration of flu shots. Over 1,000 vaccines have been given out to Marquette students this year. Past records show that approximately 600 shots were typically administered each year. Influenza is especially dangerous in close situations such as college campus dorms. Still, knowing that the vaccine is made from a dead strain of the seasonal flu, some students are wary of the effects of the flu shot. Sophomore Justin Liesener received the vaccination last December and proceeded to contract the flu immediately afterwards. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has established precautions in addition to the vaccination to help college students fight off influenza. A major recommendation from the CDC that Marquette has adopted is for students with flu-like symptoms to limit interactions with others until their fever dissipates for at least 24 hours. These symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, head or body aches, chills, and fatigue. Sophomore Elizabeth Pinkham reflected that, “I had a sore throat and fever and just felt like I had no energy in my body…I had a headache and body aches, but I was not coughing or sneezing, which I was told were common symptoms of the Swine Flu.” With the high alert regarding Swine Flu, the administration at Marquette is asking students with the flu or flu-like symptoms, including a fever of at least 100 degrees, who live within six hours of school to go home until their fever subsides; those who live farther are to be placed in quarantine. These administrative precautions are simply to protect the health of the other students on campus. “The doctor refused to take a blood test for H1N1 since the treatment is the same as that for the seasonal flu. But, almost seconds after I left the clinic, I received a phone call from the Schroeder Hall Director saying I had to be quarantined. So,I moved into Mashuda Hall and literally just slept the whole time,” explains Pinkham. Luckily, her mother flew out from Boston and stayed in quarantine with her for three days until her fever was less than 100 degrees for the required amount of time. Sodexo has agreed to offer sick meals for students who may have flu-like symptoms; their roommates are allowed to pick up the meals from any residence hall dining room and bring them back to their dorm room. These sick trays include soup, crackers, bottled water, juice, and fruit. The CDC also provides every day health tips to fight against the spread of influenza: covering your nose when you sneeze and mouth when you cough, washing your hands regularly, avoiding contact with people who have any type of sickness, even the common cold.

Through the Shoo the Flu campaign, Student Health Service has offered the flu shots at various locations throughout campus for the past week and will administer the vaccine Tuesday, November 3 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. for $25 at the Alumni Memorial Union. Other options to get the vaccine include calling the clinic at Student Health Service for an appointment (414) 288-7184 or making an appointment at the Walgreens pharmacy. Also, on December 2, the Marquette Neighborhood Heath Center will provide the vaccination for $40. Call (414) 933-9100 for more information. The seasonal flu vaccine takes approximately two weeks to take effect and lasts for a year. H1N1 is a virus, similar to the seasonal flu, but often with more severe symptoms. Along with the regular flu-like symptoms, a number of reported Swine Flu cases have resulted in diarrhea and nausea. Student Health Service plans on carrying the H1N1 vaccination as soon as it becomes available and Walgreens is in communications with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about whether or not it will be provided with the vaccine. The CDC has created priority levels in which the vaccination will be distributed and college students under the age of 24 are the second highest priority.