Caroline Fry

The Signal Staff

Flu season has arrived early this year and H1N1 adds additional concern among the population regarding prevention and vaccinations.

H1N1, commonly known as swine flu, is one of many strains of the flu and currently still very active in the U.S.  Vaccinations for H1N1 will be available in the U.S. the first week in October.  Recipients of this vaccination were originally expected to receive two injections, but it has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that only one dose is needed unless the recipient is 9 years of age or younger; these recipients will receive two doses.

Common symptoms of the H1N1 virus are similar to the seasonal flu, but include fever, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea or vomiting.  Noted cases of this virus have ranged from mild to severe, but there have been some that have ended in death. Continue Reading

Pandemic creates more hype than facts

Most of us already know flu season has arrived early this year and the panic induced by H1N1 (swine) flu seems to be worse than the virus itself.

Yes, the flu is a serious illness, but rushing to the doctor demanding a flu shot for the common cold will only add problems to the situation. If you have a low fever, a cough, the sniffles or a slight headache, the flu should not be your first worry.

Influenza occurs in three levels of intensity: A, B and C. Class C influenza is the least harmful and class A influenza has the most potential of becoming an epidemic because of its ability to create new strains of itself to which humans potentially do not have immunity.

H1N1 is an influenza A virus so, understandably, there is a cause for concern. In general, the media has overreacted by putting H1N1 in the spotlight focusing on the fact that the virus has taken nearly 600 lives; however, on average 36,000 die in the aftermath of each flu season. Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of CDC

Matt Griesmyer

The Signal Staff

H1N1 influenza, commonly known as swine flu, is quickly becoming a very prevalent issue of conversation.

As of press time for the publication of this article, there were 109 laboratory confirmed cases of the flu infection in the United States, with the only confirmed death from the virus happening in Texas; so far none have been reported on or near the University Houston-Clear Lake campus.  The number of reported cases, however, are growing quickly.

Susan Leitner Prihoda RN, family nurse practitioner and director of health and disability services at UHCL, explained what would happen if even one person became infected on campus.

“If there is a confirmed case of swine flu, the Texas Department of Health will close the campus down,” Prihoda said. Continue Reading