Six cases of the possible H1N1 flu virus were reported by the Auburn University Medical Clinic Aug. 19. With the influx of people arriving to Auburn University for football season, medical professionals are anticipating more positive identifications for the H1N1 virus in the Auburn-Opelika area.
"Right now we only have a positive ID for the Type A flu virus which has been 99 percent H1N1," said Dr. Fred Kam, Medical director of the AUMC. "On a typical year we do not see flu until December or January, and that is why we are pretty certain that these cases are H1N1."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site, the H1N1 virus was first diagnosed in April 2009 that spawned from human-to-human contact worldwide. The origins of this new strain of flu were detected from genes that circulated from flu-like viruses in pigs in Europe and South America thus giving the H1N1's original name, Swine Flu.
Dr. Jim McVay, director of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease with the Alabama Department of Public Health said college students are at high-risk of contracting the H1N1 flu virus because the H1N1 virus is very contagious, fast-spreading and affects a younger age demographic, unlike the regular flu.
"This is no more severe or no less severe than the regular flu," McVay said. "But we don't want to act like influenza is not serious, each year in the state of Alabama more than 500 people die from the flu."
According to the Alabama Department of Health, there are 1,298 confirmed cases of H1N1 and 31 cases in Lee County that have been confirmed by testing from individuals with flu-like symptoms.
The usual symptoms of the H1N1 virus are fever over 100 degrees fahrenheit, cough, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, sore throat and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
If students start to get symptoms, the AUMC recommends that they do not go to class and come to the medical clinic.
"The challenge of the H1N1 virus is that there is very little immunity of this virus in the human population and that it is spreading so fast," Kam said. "By coming to the medical clinic, the clinic can get an idea of how significant the H1N1 virus is around campus and in Auburn."
After H1N1 is diagnosed, doctors have prescribed medicines such as TAMIFLU that decrease the severity and duration of the patient's symptoms.
To prevent the H1N1 virus the AUMC suggests that students wash their hands frequently with soap and water, never cough into your hands and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
"Influenza spreads through respirator droplets in your cough or sneeze and you can start spreading the virus a day before any symptoms develop," said Kristen Nordlund, press assistant with the division of media relations from the CDC.
Auburn students returned to school Monday, Aug. 17 with increased populations in decreased amounts of space, putting those in dorms at an especially higher risk for any flu-like virus.
Annie Stephens, a freshman in elementary education and resident at The Village dorms, said she uses Lysol wipes and makes sure to wipe down everything that anyone has touched as well as take a lot of vitamin C to reduce her chances of catching the flu virus.
"I plan on taking the flu vaccine," Stephens said.
The CDC recommends that college-age students get vaccinated. Vaccinations will be available at the end of October at various health-related locations.
"Vaccination is the single best form of protection against influenza," Nordlund said.
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