Many things are on the minds of returning University of Tampa students in the first weeks back to school. There are books to buy, classes to adjust to and rooms to set up. One thing that probably hasn’t been a top priority for many students, however, is their health.
While students may not yet be worrying about their health, government and health agencies certainly are.
Since the outbreak of H1N1 last spring (commonly referred to as swine flu), health organizations have been working to educate citizens about the virus.
H1N1 is a respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses, though it is different than the common flu.
Since H1N1 is a new type of virus, there is no immunity to it yet. So far there have been 556 deaths in the US caused by H1N1 flu.
In June, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 a pandemic.
According to a recent press release by the US Department of Education, government officials are most concerned about H1N1 spreading in schools.
“The virus appears to spread quickly among younger Americans,” stated the document, citing facts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In fact, the CDC is most concerned about H1N1 illness spreading in youths aged six months to 24 years.
This is unlike the seasonal flu in that the main concern for the illness usually does not lie within this age group.
“The H1N1 flu appears to be impacting a group of people who not only aren’t used to getting serious cases of the flu, but who are not used to getting flu shots,” said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
“It is imperative to reach students with critical information about the flu and teach them what to do when the flu hits their dorm room, fraternity house or campus classroom.”
With the national buildup of concern for the virus, the UT Health Center has been doing its part in helping educate students and members of the UT community about the illness.
When asked if the university expected to have cases of H1N1 this year, Sharon Schaefer, director of the UT Health Center, replied yes.
“It is everywhere; we will get some cases, perhaps a lot of cases,” she said. “We have been preparing for this since last spring.”
Like many universities, last May, UT chose to forgo the traditional handshake between president Vaughn and graduates during 2009 Commencement because of the recent outbreak of H1N1.
In late April the UT Health Center website began posting updates about the condition of H1N1 and has continued to do so, with the most recent update on Aug. 26.
A global message was also sent out to all students on Aug. 21, detailing developments regarding H1N1, as well as the steps students can take to prevent illness.
Last week, the CDC reported H1N1 flu activity appeared to be increasing in portions of the Southeast.
According to Schaefer, UT is actively involved with the statewide surveillance system for all influenza cases called the Sentinel Program.
“It has the ability to test for influenza and, if necessary, to submit a positive test to the state laboratory for confirmation of swine flu,” she said.
Other ways the university is helping to prevent H1N1 on campus is by asking students to utilize the hand sanitizer dispensers placed throughout campus.
Though the university wants students to take all possible precautions to avoid illness, there is no reason for students to panic.
“At the present time, H1N1 is actually less dangerous than the seasonal flu,” said Schaefer.
“The usual deaths from seasonal flu are about 36,000 to 40,000 per year in the US. H1N1 so far has been about 500 in six months.”
The UT Health Center is also hoping to set straight some misconceptions students may have about how the virus spreads.
The flu does not come from contact with meat or pigs; it is spread just as the seasonal flu is spread, most commonly through germs given off by coughs and sneezes.
Symptoms of H1N1 are also much like those of the seasonal flu: fevers of 100 degrees or more, a cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, body aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are all common indicators of the illness.
A vaccine to prevent against H1N1, separate from the vaccine for the seasonal flu, is expected to be available in the US this fall, though it is unclear if and when the UT Health Center will have this vaccination available to students.
It is also unclear whether or not this vaccine will come at a fee to students.
Schaefer says the government will determine this.
“There will likely be at least an injection fee,” she said.
“But I do not foresee that UT will charge that. It is too soon to be determined what or if any fee there will be.”
The Health Center urges students who believe they are developing flu-like symptoms to contact the center immediately by phone.