The H1N1 flu spread through Ursinus campus like wildfire. And along with the uncomfortable and agonizing symptoms comes the stress and pressures of academic performance.
With only a few weeks left in the fall 2009 semester, Ursinus students are entering the final stretch and studying for final exams. Unfortunately, some students have and will run into the obstacle of the H1N1 virus. Kara Gross, an Ursinus junior and resident of Richter Hall, suffered through the virus last week. When asked how catching “the swine” affected her academics she said, “I had to leave…for a week. But I got excused from daily activities in class. Teachers were really cool about it. They understood that I was sick and at home rather than at school doing my work.”
The Dean’s Office encouraged students to go home while ill with the flu. Kara suggests to other students, “Go home. It helps. There’s nothing better than being home in the quiet and sleeping in your own bed.” Sanitizers were also placed in residence halls to prevent the spread of germs. Kara commented on this new novelty, “Sanitizers in each dorm are a great idea. I think they should put them in the bathrooms too.”
McCall Baer, another junior and the roommate of Kara Gross, was not frightened at first that her roommate contracted the virus. She commented, “I wasn’t scared. But when I called my mom she said I should come home. The fact that Kara had been coughing made the room stuffy.”
Along with the physical symptoms is the mental stress that the H1N1 virus puts on the student body. For example, according to an article by the Indiana Division of Mental health and Addiction, feeling stressed over the H1N1 virus is common. The article mentions, “Sometimes when people have feelings of stress, they think that they are sick. Feelings such as worry, fear and anxiety are usually not signs of a physical illness. They are usually signs of stress. However, it is always important to check with a medical provider to assess your health status if unusual symptoms occur.” The article also mentions that teenagers could possibly use drugs or alcohol, withdraw or become depressed, or become easily irritated. These are results of anxieties of possibly falling ill to the virus.
The Ursinus Counseling and Wellness Center now has a limited number of the H1N1 flu nasal spray. They are offering this vaccine next week and it is on a first come first serve basis. At this time, Wellness does not have the H1N1 shot, but it has been ordered and an email will be sent to the Ursinus student body when the shot becomes available.
With only a few weeks left of a difficult health semester flu season is just beginning. Ursinus faculty is providing excellent resources for students infected with the virus to make-up assignments and receive extensions. Staying flu free is difficult but the campus is well prepared for the winter flu season.