Dr. Fred Kam, medical director for the Auburn University Medical Clinic, said students should not be concerned about the Swine Flu, or H1N1 influenza. This comes amid rumors circulating on campus that a student had contracted the virus.
"I can see (the virus) becoming a little more of a rumor than it needs to be," said Kyle Loomis, a junior in zoology.
He said all of the attention to the issue has made him more aware and that he has started washing his hands more often.
Kam said in an e-mail he didn't think students should be more worried about H1N1, than they are about seasonal flu based on the information the medical clinic has.
The University updated its emergency management Web site Friday stating two students had been diagnosed with the flu. One student was diagnosed with influenza B and the other student's type had not yet been determined. However, the statement made it clear the second case is not believed to be H1N1.
Kam said students can take precautions against contracting H1N1 influenza or seasonal influenza by washing their hands and avoiding sick people. He also encourages students who are sick to avoid interaction with others and to cover their mouths and noses when they cough or sneeze.
As of Friday the Center for Disease Control reported 141 comfirmed cases of H1N1 in the U.S. and only one death. Mexico, however, has seen more than 300 cases and 12 deaths. According to its Web site symptoms for H1N1 flu have included fever, headache, upper respiratory tract symptoms, myalgia, fatigue, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
The O-A News reported Friday an Auburn boy was hospitalized with a suspected case of H1N1 influenza. Although John Atkinson, a spokesperson from East Alabama Medical Center, did not release much information about the boy, he did say the hospital sent samples to the Alabama Department of Public Health for additional testing to determine the exact type of influenza.
"It's kind of scary," said Lizzi Wright, a freshman in early childhood education. "It's one thing when you're not affected by it, but when it's close to you it's scary."
Wright said she thought the outbreak was being overly publicized, but thought the public needed to know about the precautions. She said she thought the attention U.S. media gives to issues like this helps to keep more Americans aware and safe.
Kam said the University does have an emergency plan in place if a case is found on campus.
"Trust only respected sources for information like the CDC, Alabama Department of Public Health, WHO and Auburn University," Kam said in an e-mail.
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