Union to receive H1N1 vaccines

By Benjamin Engle

As the H1N1 strain of the flu continues to spread across the United States and, more specifically, college campuses, Union College Health Services plans to distribute the H1N1 vaccine to students. According to the Union Health Service's website, there have been approximately 29 cases of influenza-like illness at Union since the beginning of the school year in September.

While the Schenectady Department of Health reports on their website that there are cases of the H1N1 influenza in Schenectady County, there have been no confirmed reports of H1N1 on campus since Health Services does not specifically test for it.

The H1N1 vaccine, which is being manufactured by five different companies, was approved by the FDA on September 15, 2009, and was shipped out to health departments across the United States during the week of October 5. The Schenectady Health Department received 500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine on October 6 and has sent it to hospitals and qualified health centers. However, as of October 9, Union Health Services has not received any shipments of the vaccine, though they "hope to receive the vaccine within the next week or so." It is unknown how much of the vaccine Union will receive.

The H1N1 vaccine comes in two different forms, a nasal spray called FluMist and a traditional shot. Contrary to rumors and petitions on the internet to prevent people from getting the H1N1 vaccine, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) insists that it is completely safe and encourages people to get vaccinated, especially health care workers, pregnant women, children and young adults, and people aged 25 through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions and weakened immune systems.

Since Union is following CDC guidelines, Health Services encourages all students to get the vaccine when it becomes available on campus. The New York State Department of Health says that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the flu. Not only does getting the vaccine better protect an individual from getting the flu, it also helps prevent that person from spreading the illness to surrounding people without the vaccine.

According to the CDC and the New York State Department of Health, the H1N1 vaccine was created like the seasonal flu shot was developed, which approximately 100 million Americans receive yearly. Contrary to reports that the H1N1 vaccine was not tested properly and could be harmful, Departments of Health state that the H1N1 vaccine actually received more testing this year than the seasonal vaccine. Additionally, unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, the new H1N1 vaccine underwent clinical trials for effectiveness and safety.

Because of the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus since last spring, the government is purchasing the vaccine, which will make the spray or the shot free to everybody. Health Services intends to make the vaccine accessible to students by giving it to students during the evening hours in dorms. However, the H1N1 vaccine is not a substitute for the seasonal flu vaccine. The CDC also encourages people to get this vaccination, though is not paid for by the government.

Besides the vaccine, Union Health Services is helping the campus community stay healthy during this flu season by actively educating the campus through fliers, emails, posters, and its H1N1 website. On top of this, Health Services encourages people to engage in proper sneezing and coughing etiquette which includes covering one's nose and mouth with a tissue when one coughs or sneezes, washing one's hands often with soap and water, and avoiding excessively touching one's face, nose, or mouth.

Originally published in Union's Concordy on 10/15/09

Swine 2009

By Benjamin Engle

As Union College students establish their routine this fall trimester, they should be adding flu prevention their to-do lists.

The H1N1 strain of the flu, more commonly known as swine flu, has hit college campuses across the United States again this fall after first appearing last spring. According to Union College Health Services, there have been zero confirmed cases of swine flu at Union.

Swine flu is an epidemic of the influenza virus that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is "a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs."

According to Barbara Lahey, the Medical Director in Health Services, the H1N1 flu is fairly mild since it only lasts about two to four weeks. Because many young people have not been exposed to the H1N1 strain of the flu, they are at a higher risk.

In order to control the outbreak of the flu virus, Health Services has been preparing for the flu season and following protocols and guidelines set forth by the CDC and the Schenectady County Department of Health.

Additionally, Union is part of the American College Health Association's "Pandemic Influenza of College Campuses" surveillance.

Lahey and the Health Services department is preparing to see swine flu cases on campus and is encouraging all members of the Union College Community to practice good hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

"We must stay focused on prevention of the flu," Lahey said. "We need to be considerate of others by taking the proper steps to prevent an outbreak."

Lahey, in conjunction with the CDC, suggests that students and faculty take advantage of the hand sanitizer stations posted at various building entrances and to cover their mouths and nose when they cough or sneeze. They are also urged to keep high-contact areas such as desks and labs clean. Additionally, Lahey suggests that the campus employ a buddy system to keep a better eye on friends, roommates, and others.

If a student or faculty member believes he or she has contracted swine flu, Health Services asks that they either leave campus and return home, or self-isolate in their dorm room. Those who believe they have the flu should not come to Health Services to avoid contaminating the buildings as well as fellow students. However, they should call in to?Health Services immediately.

According to CDC guidelines, students should not return to class or work until they have been fever free without taking medication for at least 24 hours.

"We are prepared to look outside the box to make sure students are okay," Lahey said. "We can't be afraid to help each other during this flu season."

Union College Health Services will be hosting flu clinics on November 5 and 12 to give out the seasonal flu vaccine. While the vaccine will not prevent the H1N1 virus, Health Services hopes that it will minimize symptoms.

"The community needs to pull together and look out for each other," Lahey added, "It's going to be okay as we communicate quickly and become more educated."

Originally published in Union's Concordy on 9/17/09

Swine flu concerns reach Union

By Benjamin Engle

While all suspected swine flu cases in Schenectady and Albany counties, according to the Schenectady and Albany Departments of Public Heath, have far tested negative, Union College is being proactive in ensuring the health of its students, faculty, and staff.

First detected in Mexico City in early April, swine flu, otherwise known as “H1N1,” is an epidemic of a new influenza virus that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is “a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.”

While Swine flu does not result in high death rates in pigs, the virus is currently spreading through humans across the world. According to the World Health Organization, as of May 4, 21 countries have officially reported 1085 cases of the H1N1 virus. Of the 21 countries, Mexico has 590 confirmed cases as well as 25 deaths. One death has occurred in the United States of 286 confirmed cases. Of those 286 cases, there are 73 people with the virus in New York State. According to the Associated Press, the cases in New York State have mild.

In response to the swine flu infection, the Director of Union College Health Services, Sharron McCullough, emailed a swine flu notification to the Union community on Wednesday, April 19. The email, according to McCullough, was to inform the community of how the infection outbreak worldwide is affecting Union. A similar email was sent to Union parents on May 1.

“First, it’s important not to overreact. Classes and all College business continue as normal,” McCullough wrote in the email to the campus. “We do not have any known cases of swine flu. Nevertheless, all campus community members should be taking common-sense precautions to avoid getting sick or transmitting an illness.”

According to McCullough, Health Services has been taking a proactive approach in alerting the campus relating to H1N1 and preparing for any cases on campus. Union Health Services has been in daily contact with the Schenectady Health Department and is working with the Health Department on numerous issues and are instrumental in what actions Union takes regarding the situation.

“We are asking students to call Health services (388-6120) and report any symptoms they feel are related to the flu,” McCullough said in an interview with the Concordiensis. “These are fever over 100 degrees, sore throat, runny nose and congestion, body aches, [and] any recent travel to Mexico. Occasionally vomiting and diarrhea have been reported but may not necessarily relate to the flu. It is important not to go to class if feeling ill.

However, other universities and colleges have not been spared from the infection of the H1N1 virus. UDaily, the news service of the University of Delaware, as of May 4, reports that there are 20 confirmed cases of the flu strain on its campus. Additionally, some institutions have closed for the semester, including Harvard Dental School and Texas Wesleyan University.

McCullough, however, believes that Union’s trimester schedule has lowered Union’s risk for an outbreak.

“I actually feel we are at more of an advantage since our Spring break was earlier than other colleges,” McCullough said. “We were back at school when other students were ‘vacationing.’”

While Union is at an advantage, McCullough does not believe that students, faculty, or staff should not ignore the current flu outbreak.

“I think everyone should be concerned but taking precautions such as washing your hands and using your elbow to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing is most important,” McCullough commented. “Eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of pure water and [getting] rest are your best defenses against becoming ill.”

Additionally, Union’s Facilities Services Department has taken steps in ensure the health and safety of the campus community.

According to Rich Patierne, Manager of Building Services and Work Order Systems, Facilities is responding to the H1N1 virus in a proactive fashion.

“Our cleaning staff has been instructed to make a more concentrated effort to cleaning all bathroom fixtures, hand rails, door knobs, and common spaces,” Patierne said. “We have also started the process of installing hand sanitizers in the buildings.”

Even though Union is taking preventive actions against swine flu, McCullough reassures that the H1N1 strain of the flu is not necessarily health threatening.

“Most healthy people recover from the flu and don't have serious complications, but some people such as the older people, young children and certain people with health conditions are at a higher risk for serious flu related complications,” McCullough said. “The best defense is to vaccinate against the flu. Health Services has a flu clinic the first two Thursdays in November. We are trying to outreach to our students to protect them against contracting the flu.”

Originally published in Union's Concordy on 5/6/09