It was predictable that there would be cases of H1N1 influenza at N.C. State fall semester. Two cases had already been confirmed at the University June 12, and no one born after 1950 was considered to have any immunity to this new strain of flu virus that was becoming widespread nationally and internationally. To make matters more difficult, the strain was primarily affecting those under the age of 25.
No vaccine would be available for months as thousands arrived on campus to begin fall semester. It was, quite possibly, the “perfect storm.”
More than 1,500 students visited a Student Health physician, nurse practitioner or PA with flu symptoms the first 14 weeks of fall semester. This included 321 students in CALS, 303 in engineering, 282 in CHASS, 170 in management and 123 in undergraduate studies.
No college was left behind, as 7 percent of the total students enrolled in textiles, almost 6 percent in PAMS, more than 5 percent in design, more than 2 percent in education and 2 percent in veterinary medicine were sickened.
The more than 1,500 included 63.4 percent residing off campus, 51.3 percent male, 89 percent undergraduate and 92 percent age 24 or younger. Flu cases peaked the week of Sept. 14, with a second wave peaking the week of Oct. 26.
Sick students self-isolated away from school, work or socializing until 24 hours after fever resolved, an average of 3 to 5 days. Some students developed pneumonia or other complications, but there were no deaths.
H1N1 burden was not just felt by students or Student Health. Faculty and staff planned for their own outage, some carrying an extra load when colleagues became ill. Faculty received thousands of notifications about student outages and planned with students to make up missed assignments. Some students never caught up and dropped classes or the semester. Roommates and families were creative about self-isolating.
The University was fortunate to receive H1N1 vaccine, despite a nationwide shortage. It has vaccinated about 10 percent of its students, a higher percentage than the current national average, which according to the American College Health Association is at 5 percent of college students.
Flu activity for spring semester 2010 cannot be predicted with certainty. If history is any indicator, every time there has been pandemic flu, there has been a third wave. Seasonal flu has not been active yet, but is expected and tends to peak in Jan. or Feb. If these two trends hold, the combination of events might lead to the next wave of flu activity in Jan. or Feb., one which has the potential to be worse than activity seen fall semester.
So how can the University stay ahead of the curve, whatever curve is thrown at it next semester? Simply put, an H1N1 vaccination is the most effective way to prevent H1N1 and only takes about two weeks to be protective.
H1N1 vaccine (shot or nasal spray) is available free to University students in priority groups the remainder of fall semester at Student Health by appointment.
Current CDC priority groups are people 6-months-old through age 24, healthcare and emergency medical personnel, those who live with or care for an infant less than 6-months-old, pregnant women and people age 25 through 64 with certain medical conditions.
Others around you (faculty, staff and family) may not be in a priority group yet to receive vaccine. Protect those people indirectly by receiving vaccine and staying well.
Ideal flu protection for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010 involves receiving one dose of H1N1 vaccine and one dose of seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccine has a charge, can be received the same day as the H1N1 vaccine, is not restricted to priority groups and is available by Student Health appointment.
Even if you are tired of hearing about H1N1, do not let down your guard. Flu is spread by a sick person or a “sick” thing (object contaminated by a sick person). Stay well by avoiding sick people and cleaning hands frequently after touching objects.
And as always, additional information can be found at ncsu.edu/student_health.
