Despite a growing number of flu cases being reported on the Mississippi State campus, university officials say students have no need to panic.
Dr. Robert K. Collins, director of University Health Services, said there are no confirmed cases of H1N1 on campus, only clinically diagnosed ones. Collins said only the State Health Department can confirm a case, but there is reason to believe many of the cases are H1N1.
As of Aug. 24, MSU flu watch Web site reported 162 probable cases of H1N1.
Collins said that so far, this has been like the seasonal flu and expects it to last another four to six weeks. The case fatality rate of H1N1 is less than 0.1 percent. Collins said people have been waiting for another pandemic; they remember SARS and have been watching the avian flu, which is why people began to panic with H1N1.
“We were expecting an F5 tornado, and we got a whirlwind,” Collins said.
However, Collins said pregnant women, people with children under 6 months old, and those with underlying medical conditions like asthma, diabetes and other upper respiratory problems should be extremely cautious. These groups have the highest morality of H1N1.
“Also, if you are sick, watch out for shortness of breath, getting better and then getting worse or not being well in a week,” Collins said. “If a person has none of these complications, they don’t have to see a physician.”
If a student is infected with the flu, they are advised to hibernate, stay away from others, and get plenty of rest.
Collins said there are flu packets in each residence hall on campus, and Aramark is preparing food packs for those students infected in residence halls and sorority and fraternity houses so they do not have to leave their rooms. Faculty have also been asked to be flexible with students who have the flu since hibernation is the preferred method of recovery, since it stops the flu from spreading.
There will also be a vaccine available for H1N1, as well as the seasonal flu around October. Students will be able to receive both.
Collins said one of the reasons H1N1 spread could be because of Rush Week and the lack of personal space it brings to the girls involved.
To prevent the flu, Collins said people should wash their hands diligently, throw away tissues after one use and cough into their arms, not their hands. Most importantly, maintain personal space and refrain from hugging everyone.
“Don’t handshake, knucklebump,” Collins said.
Students can keep up with the flu on the university’s Flu Watch Web site.
“I update the Flu Watch Web site whenever something new comes up. We’re being transparent to alleviate fears, not create them,” Collins said.
Matthew, a junior computer science major, contracted H1N1 while away from school in Maryland. Matthew did not want his last name to be used.
“To me, the symptoms of H1N1 were a bit off from the other flues I’ve had,” Matthew said.
He experienced respiratory problems and a very high fever, which prompted him to see a doctor as soon as possible. At the doctor, he learned that his vitals were poor and stayed there until they improved.
“That was probably the scariest moment to me. I wondered how much worse it would have been if I had waited any longer to see a doctor,” Matthew said.
He said he was surprised with how fast he recovered.
“My recovery was probably fast because I did what the doctors told me to do very quickly. I took the Tamiflu and antibiotics immediately, and I drank fruit juices and sports drinks like they were instant get-well-now medicine,” Matthew said.
Kate Jansen, a junior photography major, has not had H1N1, but does not seem too worried.
“I have had the regular flu and survived; more people have died from that, so I’m not worried.”
Jansen said she would probably get worried if the university shut down from a major outbreak and advises others to stay home.