UMD Not Sweating Suspected Cases of Swine Flu
At least 64 students may have H1N1
By MATTHEW STABLEY
Updated 12:48 AM EDT, Sat, Sep 5, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The University of Maryland is reporting 64 suspected cases of swine flu, but the school isn't panicking.
Officials said they expect even more students are ill, since the flu plays schools like dominoes.
The new school year comes with renewed swine flu concerns nationwide, particularly on college campuses. College students are among the most vulnerable to influenza. The close quarters in which they study and socialize -- and the rampant necking -- make them walking Petri dishes.
At this time, the Maryland cases aren't being sent to labs for H1N1 confirmation. The university is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocol, which states that young and healthy people aren't likely to get bad cases. They are being monitored for 24 hours, and if they get really sick, then they might be sent to a hospital. If the symptoms do get worse, students can be treated with Tamiflu.
The 64 students are being told to go home until they get better, but those who can't are being reassigned to a different dorm.
Officials reminded students to take the usual prevention precautions, like covering mouths and noses when coughing and sneezing and washing hands thoroughly. Those who feel ill should skip class and avoid others until at least 24 hours after their fever breaks.
First Published: Sep 4, 2009 2:36 PM EDT
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