Student Health confirms four cases of swine flu on campus thus far.
Swine flu has arrived at UND. Four students who were treated at UND Student Health Services have tested positive for H1N1 flu.Community providers have also identified confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. According to a UND press release, "Since the Centers for Disease Control estimates that there are over one million cases of H1N1 flu, it is not surprising that we would have confirmed cases in the Grand Forks community and at the university. The students are being treated according to protocols established in consultation with Grand Forks Public Health, the North Dakota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)."
While students should not panic, UND is reminding students, staff, and faculty to monitor their health and take the necessary precautions when they become ill, including missing class to stay home and recover if they do get sick. According to the Center for Disease Control, those infected have not truly recovered until their fever has subsided for at least 24 hours and students should avoid contact when possible until this point.
This outbreak is especially important for several high-risk groups. People who have asthma, diabetes, immune-suppression, and heart, lung, or kidney disease should avoid contact with flu carriers as this could lead to severe illness, or in some cases, death. Most people can recover at home with little or no medical attention, but students who have the previously stated conditions should consult a health care provider if they develop flu-like symptoms or even if they have close contact with someone who has the flu. People should get medical attention immediately if they have difficulty breathing, purple or blue discoloration of their lips, feel dizzy and dehydrated or unable to keep liquids down, or have seizures.
Students who become infected should wear a mask where contact with others is unavoidable.There are a variety of symptoms for the common flu, but students should monitor their health for the following: fever of more than 100 degrees, cough and sore throat, runny nose, headaches and body aches, chills, and fatigue. H1N1 flu manifests itself in very similar symptoms but people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
If students need to go the Student Health Services they should call ahead of time at 777-4500.
For UND seasonal flu vaccination clinic schedule go to www.undstudenthealth.com.
This will protect students against the most common types of seasonal flu and help keep others as well as yourself healthy all winter. However, a seasonal flu vaccination will not protect you against Novel H1N1 (swine) flu.
Novel H1N1 vaccine is expected in early November. Students can keep up to date on current information by going to www.flu.gov.
