OU Texas weekend is supposed to be one of the highlights of the school year, but this year students returned to Norman with more than just a football defeat.
“Three nights of partying in Dallas was not worth the week I’m spending in bed with the flu now,” said Caroline Prueitt, business junior.
At the time, Prueitt didn’t think that sharing drinks with her sorority sisters would spread germs so easily.
According the American College Health Association Guidelines, “Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. However, fomite or direct contact are also possible modes of transmission.”
INFLUENZA ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
According to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook, events that bring large groups of people together, such as Greek parties or football games may pose a high risk of exposure and transmission of the flu.
It is the responsibility of the university to “discourage people with flu-like illness from attending these events until they have been free of fever for at least 24 hours,” according to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook.
The seasonal flu and H1N1 flu share common symptoms that students should look out for and seek medical care if symptoms are severe or if a fever is present,” said Maggie Pool OU Health Services Registered Nurse.
Pool said H1N1 symptoms are less severe than the seasonal flu, but both are very contagious and can leave students out of commission for several days to a week.
Symptoms to watch out for include headache, severe body aches, dry cough, fatigue, chills and sweats, congestion, loss of appetite, and fever.
“We have seen an increase in patients with these symptoms earlier than usual and we believe it has been due to the early arrival of the circulating H1N1 virus,” said Pool.
According to the American College Health Association weekly data, for the week of Oct. 10- 16, 2009, “A total of 7,099 new Influenza Like Illness cases were reported (and thirteen hospitalizations) among campus populations totaling nearly 3.4 million.”
"Among these 3.4 million students, we have observed over 47,000 cases of ILI,” said Dr. James C. Turner, president of the American College Health Association. “But there have been only 78 hospitalizations and no deaths, indicating this disease remains generally mild," said Turner.
INFLUENZA AND THE GREEK COMMUNITY
If influenza rises severely, the University of Oklahoma may have to suspend Greek events due to the risk of spreading the virus, said Jill Tran Panhellenic advisor.
“Since large numbers of students attend Greek events, the spread of germs is more likely, especially during flu season,” said Tran.
With high amounts of daily contact amongst students, and the close proximity in which this contact occurs, the rapid spread to high numbers is the most threatening aspect of the illness according to the American College Health Association.
“Panhellenic has taken the issue very seriously,” said Tran.
“We have invited Goddard Health Department to speak to all of our chapter presidents. Also, we have made sure to provide each chapter with hand sanitizer, one-time thermometers and brochures on how to properly wash hands,” said Tran.
With 80 plus students living together under one roof, contagious illnesses are a big concern, said Kevin Estep Interfraternity advisor.
“The close proximity of the residents of fraternity and sorority chapter houses increases the likelihood of contracting any illness, including H1N1,” said Estep.
The Greek organizations have been advised by Health Services on prevention and procedures to follow if a student living in a fraternity or sorority house is diagnosed with H1N1.
Greek members living in the house must take great caution when another member is diagnosed with a contagious illness.
“As house mom, I feel it is my responsibility to take care of my Kappa girls,” said Pam O’Neill Kappa Kappa Gamma house mom.
“Kappa has provided hand sanitizer throughout the house. Also, signs have been posted on appropriate doors advising the girls that any door they can open with their shoulder or hip, and not touch with their hands, will cut down on the spread of germs,” said O’Neill.
If a student begins to develop flu like symptoms, the student is encouraged to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
“If one of my girls at Kappa is diagnosed with H1N1 or any form of influenza, she would stay in the guest room and avoid contact with others,” said O’Neill.
O’Neill said that Kappa has had one case of H1N1 confirmed by Integris Minor Emergency. The student was isolated in the guest room and avoided common areas like the kitchen, dining room and restrooms to keep the other girls from getting sick.
HEALTH SERVICES H1N1 PREVENTION
The American College Health Association has provided university health centers with information on how to minimize the spread of influenza.
According to the American College Health Association Guidelines, everyday actions to stay healthy include: washing hands with antibacterial soap especially after person-to-person contact, covering mouth and nose after a sneeze or cough, avoiding the touch of mouth, nose, and eyes, and staying home from class if one feels ill.
“Those with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people, except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever,” according to the Center for Disease Control Guidebook.
Overall, universities need to be educated on how to treat students with influenza and H1N1 and provide information to students and faculty on how to stay healthy.
According to the American College Health Association Guidelines, “the primary focus is for colleges and universities to plan and coordinate responses to protect and improve the mental health and psychosocial well- being of individuals in the midst of an influenza pandemic outbreak.”
By following these measures to keep germs to a minimum, students can increase their chances of staying healthy this flu season.
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