H1N1 Swine Flu Goes to College

Our guest blogger is Lisa C. Barrios, ScM, DrPH, Chief, Research Application Branch, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.


Many people fondly remember their college years as a time for making lifelong friends, learning about new ideas, figuring out their goals, and of course, going to parties. More than 17 million students attend colleges and universities in the United States, with more than 3 million people working as faculty and staff. The opportunity to be in a community of people of similar age and interests can be exhilarating. However, because students live, study, eat, and socialize together, campuses can be a place where more than just new ideas are shared.

Wherever there are large numbers of people grouped together, such as college dormitories or classrooms, the spread of viruses and illness is a concern. There have been many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza (sometimes called "swine flu") in young adults who live, work, and study in close proximity. This flu season, both seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu are expected to circulate and cause illness, though 2009 H1N1 will likely be the predominant virus. But not to worry! Although quantum physics is a topic only a small group of people can tackle, flu prevention is an easy topic for everyone.

Of all the actions that can be taken to prevent flu, vaccination offers the best protection. This year, two flu vaccines are available: the usual seasonal flu vaccine and a separate 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. To lessen your chances of getting sick this season, get a seasonal flu vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as soon as they are available to you. Because of their age alone, most college students will fall into a primary target group for the initial doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

There are other actions that can be taken along with vaccination to protect against flu. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If one is not available, sneeze into your elbow or shoulder. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand rubs may be used.

Be aware of symptoms of flu-like illness such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting. There are some people who are at higher risk for severe illness from the flu. This includes pregnant women and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. If you are in one of these groups, talk to a health care provider about whether you need to be examined if you get flu symptoms this season. You may need to be treated with antiviral drugs. Early treatment with antiviral medicines is very important for people at higher risk of flu complications because it can prevent hospitalizations and deaths.

Anyone with warning signs of serious illness (fast breathing or trouble breathing, severe or persistent vomiting, blue or gray skin color, chest pain, confusion or change in behavior, and worsening or return of symptoms) should seek urgent medical care.

The good news is that most people with 2009 H1N1 have recovered without needing medical attention or treatment and the same is true of seasonal flu. If sick, faculty, staff, and students should stay at home or in their rooms, except to seek medical care, until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. This should be measured after fever-reducing medicines such as Tylenol® are no longer needed. Students staying in their room should ask a "flu buddy" to bring needed meals, supplies and assignments. Some campuses may have temporary, alternate housing for sick students. Students who do not live on campus should stay at home or at a friend's or family member's home until they have been free of fever for 24 hours after they no longer need fever-reducing medicines. Sick people should try to avoid other people, but, if they do come into close contact with someone else, they should wear a surgical mask to help stop the spread of the virus.

Colleges and universities should have plans in place to make it easy for sick students, faculty, and staff to stay home when they're sick. They should review their absenteeism policies, look at ways to continue learning outside the classroom such as online classes, and make provisions for feeding and checking on students who are staying in their rooms.

So will bleachers and classrooms be empty this flu season? It's far less likely if students and faculty take steps to protect themselves and others. Taking proactive steps such as vaccination, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands, and staying away from others while sick can help decrease the impact of flu on campuses.