Students, faculty tackling H1N1 issue

In recent months the spread of the H1N1 virus, more popularly known as the Swine Flu, has gotten the attention of everyone. It has taken the cute cuddly look out of Piglet and given him fangs, red eyes and a foamy mouth. But what is H1N1 and is it really the savage virus people think it is? Or has the media blown it into something bigger than it really is?H1N1 or the Swine Flu is a form of influenza. It is contracted by person-to-person contact. Symptoms of this include fever, coughing, runny nose, fatigue, chills and sneezing. In severe cases, it can be fatal. Unlike the usual influenza virus that tends to attack young children and adults over 65 the worst, H1N1 is creating major health problems for people 25 and younger. Through scientific studies, it has been found that many people over the age of 64 have antibodies in their body to fight against the virus, where as younger people do not.

We live in a world where other people cook and serve our food, we sit in the same desk as 10 different students each class, we touch hundreds of doorknobs a day, and so and so forth. So how do we stop the spread of this nasty virus?

Restaurant manager Jim Brown says he's not scared, he's just precautious. "We are taking this seriously. We are doing everything we possibly can to make sure everything is clean and sanitized."

As for his employees, he is taking extra precautions. "We are monitoring our associates' health closely. We are making sure people who are sick are going home and staying home. We are also keeping sanitizer close by and telling associates' to make sure they are constantly washing their hands and sanitizing themselves," said Brown.

One associate, Kyle Elam, is making sure he is doing everything he can to keep himself healthy. "I am taking extra vitamin C supplements, taking a shower regularly, walking around with a bottle of Purel in my hand constantly, and keeping my house extra clean."

In recent weeks Parkland College students have been receiving mass emails regarding the H1N1 virus. The most recent one reads:

"The Wellness Center has been notified that suspected H1N1 flu cases have been reported on campus. In addition, there appears to be another upper respiratory virus in the community that has made confirmation of a diagnosis difficult. Regardless of the cause, people are getting sick and we must all do what we can to slow down the transmission as best we can."

June Burch of the Parkland College Wellness Center thinks students should not be afraid, but need to respect this virus. "No, students should not be afraid of the H1N1 flu but they should have respect for it. Students who are pregnant, have infants at home or if they have underlying health conditions should be especially cautious because of their risks for complications. Students who have flu-like symptoms (especially fever) should not come to school and should avoid contact with others, especially those with a high risk for complications."

Director of Student Services Linda Moore has the same opinion on respecting the virus. "I'd say that students shouldn't be afraid of H1N1, but they should be respectful of it. We deal with flu and its risks every year, but this particular strain does seem to be quite contagious among the school-age and young adult population. Certainly, if a student is pregnant, or has asthma or a compromised immune system, he or she should contact a doctor if flu symptoms arise. All of us need to follow the common-sense advice to wash our hands, cover our coughs and sneezes with a tissue or our sleeve, and stay home if we are running a fever."

Parkland student Clayton Bateman says it isn't as scary as it seems. "The swine flu doesn't scare me. I think people are being slightly irrational about it. In my school e-mail it is said there were suspected cases of the swine flu, but anyone with a cough due to allergies could be suspected. I wash my hands, cough into my shoulder."

Tiffany Varnell isn't scared either. "The Swine Flu doesn't scare me honestly. As long as I am careful with what I do and who I am around, I know I'm okay. I don't think it is as bad as everyone says it is."

While he is not scared, Bateman does have a plan of action. "If I do get sick I fully intend to stay home. I fully intend to get my Flu shot on the 17th or 18th of this month at the Champaign Urbana Public Health Districts drive-through shot clinic."

Burch notes that Parkland College faculty members are being encouraged to have a back up plan for students who become ill. "Faculty have been encouraged to have back-up plans in place for students who are absent because of the H1N1 flu. For some that may mean additional out-of-class assignments, for others it might mean on-line course work. Faculty should also be prepared for their own absence by having colleagues available to substitute for them in the event that they are ill."

Moore has seen quick reaction from faculty tackling the virus. "Faculty members are looking at various ways for students to continue to make progress in their courses if absent due to flu. Some are even constructing online assignments that could help a student meet course expectations during a flu illness. Faculty members also have participated in making sure students are aware of flu risks and proper hygiene habits. Many departments are making sure that desks, table tops, and computer keyboards are cleaned more frequently. "

It is important to take all of the necessary precautions recommended by health professionals. This virus can be in a person's body up to seven days before symptoms appear, so while one may feel well, they can still have and spread the virus. Washing hands regularly and using 60% alcohol hand sanitizer are important and simple steps everyone can take. Students should keep sanitizing wipes in their backpacks and wipe off all desk surfaces, keyboards, chairs, and other school supplies they share with other students.