Below, a longer piece on H1N1 at colleges nationwide. MCM Cornell Student Dies From H1N1 Complications
September 11, 2009 - 5:45am By <http://cornellsun.com/users/sun-staff>Sun Staff Cornell Student Dies From H1N1 Complications | The Cornell Daily Sun Warren Schor '11 died on Friday from complications relating to H1N1 influenza, according to the University. Schor, 20, was being treated at Cayuga Medical Center. In an e-mail to members of the Cornell community President David Skorton wrote: "We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to them and to his many friends. Please keep them in your thoughts in the following days." Skorton also urged all members of the community to be on alert about the risks related to underlying health conditions and severe flu symptoms. At least two other college students in the United States have died from complications relating to the flu, Inside Higher Ed <http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/09/08/h1n1>reported on Tuesday. Influenza-like illness has been reported at more than 70-percent of college campuses nationwide, according to a <http://www.acha.org/ILI_Surveillance.cfm>survey by the American College Health Association, which has been tracking the spread of the disease. The highest rates of activity have been in the Northwest and Southeast regions of the country, according to the ACHA. On Wednesday, University health officials <http://cornellsun.com/section/news/content/2009/09/10/ifc-halts-frat-parties-amid-swine-flu-worries>said that approximately 450 Cornell students had been diagnosed by Gannett Health Services with probable H1N1 influenza. Cornell's Inter-Fraternity Council has also placed a seven-day moratorium on fraternity social events in an effort to curb the spread of the flu across campus. Ithaca College's health center has diagnosed some 18 students there with probable H1N1 influenza, The Ithacan <http://theithacan.org/am/publish/news/200909_Swine_Flu_Round_2.shtml>reported on Thursday. Continue to check cornellsun.com for the latest on this story. ______ <http://theithacan.org/am/publish/news/200909_Swine_Flu_Round_2.shtml>The Ithacan Online | Swine Flu Round 2 - September 10th, 2009 NEWS Swine Flu Round 2 Colleges throughout the nation face new wave of H1N1 virus By Gillian Smith Staff Writer | September 10th, 2009 As of yesterday evening, 18 students at Ithaca College have been determined by the Hammond Health Center to have the H1N1 virus, commonly known as "swine flu," and eight students have reported flu-like symptoms through the "H1N1" portlet on the myHome Community Web site, according to Dave Maley, associate director of media relations. Theresa Lyczko, director of the Health Promotion Program at the Tompkins County Health Department, said health institutions across the county are no longer testing for the H1N1 virus because it is the most prevalent strain of flu right now. The purpose of testing currently is to examine unusual patterns in certain cases but does not make a difference in treatment of patients, Lyczko said. On Saturday, sophomore Andrew Rivard had a sore throat and experienced slight dizziness. By Saturday evening, the soreness had worsened and a high fever developed. Sunday morning, incredibly dizzy, he went to the Health Center and was diagnosed with H1N1. "It was the worst I've felt in two years," Rivard said. "It was absolutely awful." Rivard was given a "Flu Kit," consisting of acetaminophen - a medication to reduce fever - a thermometer, alcohol-based hand sanitizer and tissues. He was advised to go back home to Connecticut for a couple of days. Unable to go back home, Rivard has stayed at the college wearing a surgical mask at all times. Rivard was advised to eat bananas, pasta and bagels, following the "B.R.A.T. Diet," because he was vomiting - one of the symptoms of the virus. B.R.A.T. stands for bananas, rice, applesauce and toast, and is commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal problems. He said his roommate has been incredibly helpful, bringing his ID to the dining halls to keep him nourished. "He has been really helpful," Rivard said. "The Health Center told me he could tell them I was sick, and they would accept my ID. I have been wearing the mask whenever he is in the room, so he doesn't get it either." The Hammond Health Center told Rivard he should feel better by the end of this week and be fully recovered by Sept. 15 - the day of his twentieth birthday. According to the American College Health Association survey, there are 5,685 cases of swine flu on college campuses nationwide as of yesterday evening. Kristen Nordlund, press assistant for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said information that has been analyzed by the CDC concludes that the 2009 H1N1 virus infects people younger than 25 years of age greater than those in people 64 years old or older. "It has been suggested that older people may have been exposed to similar viruses in years past and therefore have some immunity to this virus," Nordlund said. The threat level of the virus to college students is unknown, according to Erin Hall-Rhoades, assistant director of Health Services at the college. She said the Hammond Health Center is suggesting that students take personal precautions and practice good hygiene. The Health Center is also offering "Flu Kits" to students who think they have flu-like symptoms. "We know that prevention strategies involving personal protection such as hand-washing, covering a cough, avoidance of touching the eyes, nose and mouth are very helpful," Hall-Rhoades said. The Health Center will offer free seasonal flu shots starting next week. As of yesterday afternoon, there was one off-campus student at Cornell University diagnosed with H1N1, according to Claudia Wheatley, director of the publications and marketing department. No information about the patient could be released because of patient confidentiality. Wheatley said the university has been planning for the swine flu since last spring. She said there is no way to track exactly how many students have the swine flu, but the Gannet Health Center at Cornell has had more than 290 students come in with flu-like symptoms since the school year started. "Most of the cases we have seen to date have been very mild and the students have been able to recover in their own rooms or apartments on their own with the help of friends," Wheatley said. Novel H1N1 Influenza is an illness that was found in April 2009, Nordlund said. She said on June 11, the World Health Organization signaled a pandemic of the H1N1 virus was under way. According to Nordlund, symptoms for the virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, and it spreads by coughing or sneezing on someone, or touching something that an infected person has already touched. Nordlund said the severity of the illness ranges from mild to severe. While most cases have recovered without medical treatment in three to four days, those with underlying health conditions such as asthma or diabetes are advised to seek medical care. To date, there have been 593 deaths worldwide. Peter Voorhees, public information officer at Tompkins Cortland Community College, said this fall, there was a free administration of the common influenza vaccine given to all students. The common influenza shot prevents a coinfection with both the common flu and the swine flu. If contracted together, the illness is much worse. "We are following the county health department recommendations and the CDC recommendations for handling cases," Voorhees said. One international student, whose name could not be released, participated in the global program at TC3 and tested positive for the illness in early June, Voorhees said. The student lived in an on-campus apartment with three other students, who were advised to practice good hygiene. The student is no longer on campus. According to Maley, the college will be sending letters to faculty, staff, students and parents with specific information regarding the swine flu concern. "If we can provide easy access for people, they can get updated info from the most reliable sources," he said. According to the CDC, a vaccination for H1N1 should be available in late October. The Health Center will be administering the vaccine as soon as they receive it. "At this point, we as a college community need to be concerned and prepared but not alarmed," Hall-Rhoades said. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to Mark Crispin Miller's "News From Underground" newsgroup. To unsubscribe, send a blank email to [email protected] OR go to http://groups.google.com/group/newsfromunderground and click on the "Unsubscribe or change membership" link in the yellow bar at the top of the page, then click the "Unsubscribe" button on the next page. For more News From Underground, visit http://markcrispinmiller.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
