Loyola's Health Center prepares campus to weather H1N1 influenza
Maria Pia Negro
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: News
Bianca Vazquez, '11, who has asthma and knows she has a higher risk of getting this flu is worried about the stage of the vaccine.
"I just don't know if they [2009 H1N1 vaccines] will be fully prep, they might not have it until flu season," Vazquez said.
There are also many students at colleges and universities nationwide who are concerned about 2009 H1N1 because it is supposed to affect campuses this year. Some people think that younger people - college students - will be most affected by this flu.
"College students are more at risk because they have no known immunity and live in crowded places," said Lombardi.
Other people trust that the 2009 H1N1 flu won't reach Loyola. Tamarah Lawrence, '13, said, "I know it's dangerous, but I am not worried about it."
Alejandro Santos, '10, said, "I was getting worried [about the H1N1 flu] when people back in New York were getting it. I was happy to come back to Baltimore. Haven't heard much about it though."
How can students differentiate between a cold, the regular flu, or the H1N1 flu? First, keep in mind that if there is no fever, there is no flu. The H1N1 symptoms include: high fever (more than 100 degrees), runny nose, sore throat or cough, chills and body aches, headaches, and occasional vomiting and diarrhea. If you do have the symptoms, call the Health Center for an appointment right away.
One case of H1N1 influenza was reported on campus this summer; the student recovered uneventfully.
If a student gets sick, he or she will be sent home if the student lives within a five-hour drive from campus. If the student has to remain on campus, he or she will be asked to stay in the room wearing a mask, e-mail professors to let them know about the illness, and avoid hugging, kissing and sharing utensils. According to Lombardi, teachers are aware of the H1N1 possibility and have their own Web site to inform them about the subject.
The attitude students should take, according to Lombardi, is a preemptive one because this is a different kind of flu. The 2009 H1N1 can be quite serious, while in other cases it can be milder than any other influenza. This is why it is important for a student who is experiencing flu-like symptoms to call the Health Center right away.
"I just don't know if they [2009 H1N1 vaccines] will be fully prep, they might not have it until flu season," Vazquez said.
There are also many students at colleges and universities nationwide who are concerned about 2009 H1N1 because it is supposed to affect campuses this year. Some people think that younger people - college students - will be most affected by this flu.
"College students are more at risk because they have no known immunity and live in crowded places," said Lombardi.
Other people trust that the 2009 H1N1 flu won't reach Loyola. Tamarah Lawrence, '13, said, "I know it's dangerous, but I am not worried about it."
Alejandro Santos, '10, said, "I was getting worried [about the H1N1 flu] when people back in New York were getting it. I was happy to come back to Baltimore. Haven't heard much about it though."
How can students differentiate between a cold, the regular flu, or the H1N1 flu? First, keep in mind that if there is no fever, there is no flu. The H1N1 symptoms include: high fever (more than 100 degrees), runny nose, sore throat or cough, chills and body aches, headaches, and occasional vomiting and diarrhea. If you do have the symptoms, call the Health Center for an appointment right away.
One case of H1N1 influenza was reported on campus this summer; the student recovered uneventfully.
If a student gets sick, he or she will be sent home if the student lives within a five-hour drive from campus. If the student has to remain on campus, he or she will be asked to stay in the room wearing a mask, e-mail professors to let them know about the illness, and avoid hugging, kissing and sharing utensils. According to Lombardi, teachers are aware of the H1N1 possibility and have their own Web site to inform them about the subject.
The attitude students should take, according to Lombardi, is a preemptive one because this is a different kind of flu. The 2009 H1N1 can be quite serious, while in other cases it can be milder than any other influenza. This is why it is important for a student who is experiencing flu-like symptoms to call the Health Center right away.
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