City College is increasing defense against forms of the flu this year, in hopes that most students and staff members can escape the virus.
The Health Services Center and other administrative departments are stepping up efforts to get students and employees to be more cautious against the spread of germs that may cause either the H1N1 virus, commonly known as Swine Flu, or the seasonal flu that will be in full swing in the coming months. One person in Santa Barbara County died of H1N1 earlier this month, and reports of cases are increasing in dense areas such as Isla Vista.
Over the weekend, another death attributed to H1N1 was reported in Santa Barbara County. A 4-year-old boy with underlying medical conditions was the second to die because of the disease.
“The key in this flu is prevention,” said director of the Health and Wellness program Susan Broderick. “That’s why we’re doing strong promotions on respiration etiquette and washing hands frequently.”
Posters that remind people to cover their coughs and to stay home if a fever is greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit are popping up around campus.
Broderick encouraged everyone who has flu-like symptoms to stay at home and away from other people, something that could be difficult to do for many students living in tight quarters.
But Broderick said that’s only one reason why the 18 to 24 age group is among the most vulnerable to H1N1.
“It’s also because older people have been exposed to more types of the flu over the years,” she said. “H1N1 is more virile than the seasonal flu.”
Broderick said this is an important service because it prevents more students from coming in to the school for evaluations.
She describes the rate of students coming in with flu-like symptoms being “greater than last year and earlier too.”
Keith McLellan, dean of Educational Programs who oversees student development, counseling and matriculation, said that instructors have been consulting him and Broderick about students who may be absent for multiple classes because of a severe flu illness.
“The policy is no different from any other medical emergency,” McLellan said. “It is up to each individual faculty member whether they can accommodate a student illness.”
McLellan said that students who miss one or two classes can inform the instructor directly, but more prolonged absences should be reported to his office.
He maintains that the best method is prevention from getting sick in the first place.
Health Services has ordered 2,000 of the H1N1 vaccine that is just now being delivered to the greater Santa Barbara area.
Broderick said that when they do arrive, vaccinations will only be given to what the Center for Disease Control has identified as the most at-risk groups of the population.
She said that includes students between the ages of 18 and 24, and health care and childcare workers.
As of now, there is a limited amount of action that health services can take for a student exhibiting symptoms of the flu.
Broderick said that prescribing Tamiflu is just about the only route.
She said the health services office does not test for H1N1, although vaccines are on the way.
City College and Cottage Hospital sponsored two on-campus flu shot clinics earlier this month.
Broderick estimates that around 500 students and faculty were vaccinated as part of the sessions. Most students go without a flu shot every year.
“I don’t know what the rationale is behind students not getting vaccinated,” she said.
