UA Health Center reports multiple flu cases on campus
Nick DeMoss
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: News
More than 40 UA students had been treated for the flu as of Feb. 6 at the Pat Walker Health Center, and many more cases are expected over the next month, health center officials said.
Professors have been asked by both health center officials and administrators in the Dean of Students Office to give special consideration to students exhibiting flu-like symptoms, allowing them to stay home without requiring official medical documentation.
Some professors are even going as far as removing students from class if they exhibit symptoms of the flu. This precaution is to avoid spreading the highly contagious disease.
One professor began the class by asking students if they were sick, causing most of the class to raise their hands, said Sarah Gibbs, a junior business major. The professor then asked if anyone had a fever, to which three people responded yes. Those students then were asked to leave the class for fear of infecting both students and the professor, Gibbs said.
"The numbers we're seeing right now clearly indicate we've got students that are contagious," said Daniel Pugh, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.
While still in the early stages, this year's flu outbreak could be worse than last year's, said Lyn Edington, PWHC nurse manager.
"In years past, if we saw 50 cases in a month, we thought we were busy," she said. "Now we're seeing that many in a week."
How long the flu will last on campus is difficult to predict, especially since it is just beginning.
"We'll know in a couple of weeks if it's going to get worse," Edington said. "I suspect that it will ruin an awful lot of spring breaks."
Influenza typically takes between two and three days to incubate after a person has contracted it, so there is a surge in cases reported about three times a week, Edington said.
The outbreak began occurring very quickly after the ice storm confined students to their residence halls for several days. Providing free tickets to the basketball game during the break also brought thousands of people together in a confined space. Every year, people bring the flu back with them from Christmas break, Edington said. Many students also left campus after the UA canceled classes and potentially brought back germs.
Professors have been asked by both health center officials and administrators in the Dean of Students Office to give special consideration to students exhibiting flu-like symptoms, allowing them to stay home without requiring official medical documentation.
Some professors are even going as far as removing students from class if they exhibit symptoms of the flu. This precaution is to avoid spreading the highly contagious disease.
One professor began the class by asking students if they were sick, causing most of the class to raise their hands, said Sarah Gibbs, a junior business major. The professor then asked if anyone had a fever, to which three people responded yes. Those students then were asked to leave the class for fear of infecting both students and the professor, Gibbs said.
"The numbers we're seeing right now clearly indicate we've got students that are contagious," said Daniel Pugh, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.
While still in the early stages, this year's flu outbreak could be worse than last year's, said Lyn Edington, PWHC nurse manager.
"In years past, if we saw 50 cases in a month, we thought we were busy," she said. "Now we're seeing that many in a week."
How long the flu will last on campus is difficult to predict, especially since it is just beginning.
"We'll know in a couple of weeks if it's going to get worse," Edington said. "I suspect that it will ruin an awful lot of spring breaks."
Influenza typically takes between two and three days to incubate after a person has contracted it, so there is a surge in cases reported about three times a week, Edington said.
The outbreak began occurring very quickly after the ice storm confined students to their residence halls for several days. Providing free tickets to the basketball game during the break also brought thousands of people together in a confined space. Every year, people bring the flu back with them from Christmas break, Edington said. Many students also left campus after the UA canceled classes and potentially brought back germs.
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