As I’m sure we’re all aware, it’s flu season again, folks. That means no sharing food, no coughing on strangers’ necks in class, and absolutely no making out with random party-goers on the weekends. Too bad, I know, but we’re all making sacrifices here.
In all seriousness, this outbreak of the flu is the worst since the swine flu pandemic (meaning countrywide or worldwide disease) of 2009. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has reported that the number of Americans stricken with the flu has stayed consistent for about three weeks, an abnormally long amount of time. Heartbreakingly, over 30 children, in just this flu season, have died, and almost 12,000 people have been hospitalized due to influenza. So what makes this outbreak so terrible? Experts say that the strain of this flu, H3N2, is the worst type of flu because it can easily change to circumvent the human body’s immune system (the bodily system responsible for fighting illnesses). Unfortunately, we’re weeks away from getting to the end of flu season.
I’m sure many, if not all of you, have heard rumors about a flu-related event on campus. On what I believe was Monday, January 22nd, many occupants of one of the floors of JPR (I’ve heard either the 3rd or 4th) were reported to have started “aggressively vomiting” during the night. The exact number of students is unknown, but I have heard both 10 and 17, so it is safe to assume that it relatively high. What’s more, I’ve heard multiple reports of 4 students being hospitalized that night; it is not specified whether or not they have returned to campus, or are in any serious danger. In addition, people on campus have seen B&G thoroughly cleaning and bleaching JPR three times a day, but some students were #done and have been rumored to be staying in Geneva hotels. Has any of this been officially confirmed by the school? No, but I feel that it’s necessary to share what could be happening on campus, as the administration does not feel the need to.
So, you may be asking yourself how you can keep from getting infected? Well first of all, the CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine (but you should know that it takes about two weeks to get into effect). Unfortunately, the vaccine is, at best, 60% effective according to experts, but it does mean that most people who receive the shot will not be so ill that they require a doctor’s attention. Of course, good old-fashioned hand-washing and hygiene techniques are essential to preventing the spread. If you or your roommate becomes ill, separate your hygiene products and make sure that the sick person replace their toothbrush once they get better; also be sure that diseased bedding is washed frequently, that there is a garbage liner (or plastic bag) for tissues, and that germy hands are kept off remotes, doorknobs, and the like (clean whatever is touched by the sick).
http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/371021-cdc-this-flu-season-worst-since-2009-swine-flu-pandemic