CU Continues to See a Reduction in Walk-In Flu Cases
By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-01 10:11:27 | Word Count: 538
University of Colorado at Boulder health officials today reported that for the second week they are seeing fewer cases of students with flu-like symptoms at Wardenburg Health Center, with the number of cases of H1N1 confirmed by the state health department standing at four and the number of students seen in the clinic with flu-like symptoms at 532 since Aug. 1.
These numbers include students living both on and off campus. They do not include students who have been seen by an off-campus health care provider or those who called to talk with a nurse on the phone. The university has scaled back its Type A influenza testing, testing only students who meet high-risk criteria or who are hospitalized. To date, two students have been hospitalized and both have recovered from their flu symptoms.
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"We want people with risk factors such as pregnancy, suppressed immune systems, diabetes, asthma or other complicating medical conditions to be evaluated by a health care professional as soon as possible," said Dr. Pamela Talley, lead physician for medical clinics at Wardenburg. "Also, people whose symptoms are worsening or changing should be seen at a health center."
Any CU-Boulder student who is experiencing influenza-like illness can call either the Wardenburg Health Center or their medical provider to discuss treatment options.
"The best way to stop the spread of the flu is by taking basic precautions," Talley said. "Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap or use an alcohol-based hand gel and cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze."
CU-Boulder is coordinating with state and county health agencies on future vaccination clinics. When the vaccine becomes available, Wardenburg Health Center will hold a series of H1N1 vaccination clinics with high-risk populations receiving the first vaccinations.
"We want to remind the university community that the seasonal flu vaccine is already available at many pharmacies, grocery stores and doctor's offices and may be covered by personal insurance," Talley said.
Students living in the residence halls who have flu-like symptoms are urged to stay in their residence hall rooms, not to enter large-group settings until at least 24 hours after any fever has ended (without the aid of fever-reducing medications), and report flu-like symptoms to their hall director or resident adviser. Housing and dining staff will deliver kits including food items and surgical masks to residents who report flu-like illness. Community Health information tables have been provided at dining facilities during meal times to encourage good hygiene practices and to answer questions that students have about the flu.
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