South Dakota
Four cases of the H1N1 virus have now been confirmed on the South Dakota State University campus. Two of those cases are with students that live on campus, and the other two off campus. As of now they’re being considered mild cases and the students have simplify been sent home. Action News traveled to Brookings this afternoon and talked to a few South Dakota State University Students about the H1N1 virus arriving on their campus. Many of them didn’t know that there are now 4 cases of the H1N1 virus confirmed, but that didn’t make them change their habits as many already feel prepared. Courtney Murrow thinks she’s already prepared through what she does daily, she told us, “I’ve been more aware, but I really haven’t changed my habits too much, I’m really clean though.” Others, like Weston Holm stopped some other habits, just in case, saying “I was my hands, I’ve even quit chewing my fingernails.” Avoiding the H1N1 virus is important to avoid a bad semester for a college student. Tim Labored told us that “I’m a little timid, I’d be a little upset if I caught the swine flu, I’d have to miss school for quite a while and I don’t think professors would be to happy with that.” A vacation is on the way, but the students have to rely on their hygiene habits for now. Kaity Brown told us, “Once they get a vaccination for it, I’ll get that.”
http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/59089832.html
Story Created: Sep 11, 2009 at 10:27 PM CDT
Story Updated: Sep 12, 2009 at 11:21 PM CDT
((((“This disease will go through a 12-week wave, and at the peak, the numbers will be unbearable,” Dr. Palinkas said.
He added that the University is currently in week three of the 12-week wave.)))))
Updated September 16th, 2009 - 11:35 PM http://www.dailyillini.com/news/2009/09/16/dr-robert-palinkas-address-student-senates-swine-flu-concerns
Dr. Robert Palinkas, director and clinical assistant professor of internal medicine, visited Illinois Student Senate (ISS) Wednesday to discuss recent concerns of the H1N1 virus on campus.
He said around 500 people have been infected by the virus, though some people who have the illness have not attended McKinley Clinic to be medically evaluated, he added. He said he believes at the worst, around 1000 students may contract the illness.
Dr. Palinkas said H1N1 virus was not that much different than a seasonal flu. He added the groups who are at risk are those who have had a previous condition.
“This is flu, this is what we are experiencing,” Dr. Palinkas said. “Almost everybody (infected) will have four days of misery.”
Dr. Palinkas said those who contract the illness will have the usual fever and cough before they recover from the illness. However, he said he urged students to remain isolated until they are free from the contagious period. The usual safe period for isolation is around seven days.
“This disease will go through a 12-week wave, and at the peak, the numbers will be unbearable,” Dr. Palinkas said.
He added that the University is currently in week three of the 12-week wave.
Another subject Dr. Palinkas spoke of was the academic effects of the virus.
He said those who were infected came to McKinley to receive documentation. Dr. Palinkas added the best thing to do was to contact the faculty for the classes that were missed.