H-SC Prepares for H1N1 Virus
by: Basil Panton ‘11Like other colleges in area, student health officials stress education, prevention
The H1N1 influenza virus sprang up in April of this year. In that month, local health officials in Mexico first detected a number of cases of the H1N1 virus there, and since then, the virus has spread rapidly across the globe, affecting thousands of people. In even the most developed of countries, like the United States and European nations, the H1N1 virus has achieved the status of an unpredictable strain of influenza and has claimed a number of flu victims.
Such is the potency of the rare strain of influenza that the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 11, 2009 acted swiftly and branded as a “pandemic.” The labeling of the H1N1 virus as a pandemic did not settle an already suspecting world that was confused about the origin of the virus. After all, from the onset of the strain, there were conflicting reports emanating from various sources condemning or referring to the H1N1 virus as “swine flu.”
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the H1N1 was nicknamed “swine flu” after tests conducted in laboratories “showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America.” But the public grew weary when disagreeable findings showed that the novel virus “is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs.”
As a matter of fact, believes the CDC, the strain of H1N1 has two viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes, a combination scientists termed as the “quadruple reassortant” virus. Thus, the consensus is that this exceptional strain of influenza virus is not originally from swine at all. Perhaps not to allow anyone to be too complacent at this point in time, the local authorities of health in this state, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), reports that its organization, along with word-wide health organizations, is continuing to monitor the situation and to update the public.
Colleges and public schools across Virginia are following the advice of monitoring closely the H1N1 virus, as well. What most of these schools are doing is pursuing the instructions and guidelines of the superior health authorities. Director of the Moore Town Student Center at Hampden-Sydney College, Beth Graham asserted that the focus is on “prevention.” Said Nurse Graham, “we [health workers at the Moore House Heath center] have done informational sessions with faculty, staff, and administrators. We have had meetings with the Resident Advisors.” This prevention campaign entails informing the campus community to use hand sanitizers placed at ideal locations on campus, educating the students about the symptoms of the virus, and insuring that individuals with influenza-like symptoms avoid contact with others.
These are prescribed recommendations by higher health organizations. Nurse Graham also stressed that our close-knit campus has taken each other’s health at heart and has followed the instructions. For example, she noted that a number of students with influenza-like symptoms have chosen to go home. Nevertheless, Nurse Graham emphasized the importance for students to take the seasonal influenza vaccine, although she pointed out that there is a shortage. She expressed satisfaction that at this point in time in previous years the number of seasonal flu on this campus remains unchanged. Nurse Graham cautions, however, that students should not take for granted their privileged health stability and that the temperatures are falling, disposing people to contracting the seasonal influenza.
At least one nearby college is proceeding in the exact manner as Hampden-Sydney. Nurse Gretchen Morgan, Director of Student Health at Lynchburg College, shared that the health personnel are very proactive in disseminating information about the virus to the students. Director Morgan confirmed that Randolph College sends weekly influenza update to the campus community and is having a Vaccine Clinic starting Wednesday, October 14, 2009.
The director reiterated that health officials at Randolph are following strictly the “VDH and CDC recommendations of self-isolation . . . until fever free for twenty-four hours without taking fever suppressing medications.” Ultimately the nurse’s view is that local colleges should keep in contact with each other, a challenge Randolph overcomes by keeping in touch with nearby Lynchburg College. Like Nurse Graham, Director Morgan believes that the public might be served well to keep themselves up-to-date by doing personal research about the virus and by accessing credible websites like those of the CDC, VDC, and WHO.
The public’s constant attention to health officials alone will not suffice for this pandemic. The public, if any individual or group within it senses any influenza-like illness (ILI), has to be proactive and visit physicians. The CDC reports that the H1N1 activity exists in thirty-seven states across America. The CDC’s record is that since April there have been “a total of 76 laboratories confirmed 2009 H1N1 pediatric death.” Fortunately for H-SC and Randolph College, however, there have not been any reported cases of deaths.
In the situation of H-SC, Nurse Graham reported that the campus has encountered a few “probable” cases of the virus. These reported cases, however, came from outside locations where students had gone for their sickness. On the other hand, Nurse Morgan affirmed that Randolph College has had two “Case Definition Influenza-like illness [ILI].” Both directors are looking forward to receiving the H1N1 Influenza A vaccine—intravenous, not nasal, form for H-SC, in order to provide them for their students.
Finally, one has to follow the recommendations and advice of the mentioned health organizations, the public health authorities, and access the websites to stay alert. The virus is contagious. But these health organizations warn that some people are more inclined to getting flu-like complications. These organizations say that those individuals with underlying chronic illness such as heart disease, diabetes, blood disorder, young children, and seniors over sixty-five are more predisposed to contracting the virus.
The caution advised to those specified individuals does not warrant those who are excluded from the list to take this virus lightly, though. The virus is contagious and is contractible through droplets. Thus, the best way to remain healthy and flu-free is to learn about its symptoms and to take correct action if those symptoms appear.
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