According to Vice President of Student Development Kent Porterfield, as of 3 p.m. on Sept. 16, Saint Louis University has had 270 students with consistent symptoms of the H1N1 virus, also known as “swine flu.” As some students have recovered and other students contracted the illness, the number of students displaying symptoms has fluctuated.
A week ago, the University stated that it had more than 100 students with suspected cases. Two weeks ago, the University had 10 suspected cases. The 270 suspected cases this week is the total number of suspected cases that has been reported at the University and includes students who have recovered from the virus.
“As we bring in new cases, we are also seeing students leaving who are feeling better,” Porterfield said. “I don’t know what the overall increase is, we spike up and drop down.”
Sophomore Caitlin Cervenka tested positive for showing the symptoms of H1N1 last week at the Student Health Center, and was sent to Manresa before opting to go back home to Chicago to recover.
“They did do everything they possibly could to help my situation, but the thing that concerned me is that the two guys who were sent to Manresa with me had not even tested positive for influenza, and were not exhibiting a fever,” Cervenka said. “I understand that this was a precaution, but I feel like this has escalated the mania that has broken out from the spread of the disease.”
Student Health has been testing students for the symptoms of the virus, which include a fever, cough, sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose.
“It was obvious that Student Health has been very over-burdened by this outbreak, but they did the best they could under the circumstances, and I thank them for that,” Cervenka said.
While the number of students at Manresa hasn’t created any problems, the food served at the recovery center has been an issue among students. The University has heard these complaints, and has now partnered with Meals on Wheels to add substance to Manresa’s food.
“We have heard the students complaints and it took some time.but we are now doing Meals on Wheels,” Porterfield said.
The University is making an effort to prevent the spread of the virus by informing students of the situation and on how to stay healthy.
“We are focusing more on treatment and prevention right now,” Porterfield said. “We are tying to keep away from affecting the day-to-day operations of the University.”
The University is offering helpful information on the virus at http://www.slu.edu/flu/ or on the information phone lines. The phone line for students is 314-977-7326, and for parents at 314-977-2229; phone lines are open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Gillian Stephens, the assistant professor in the department of family and community medicine, has simple advice for students.
“Carry an alcohol based hand drop and use it regularly, the swine flu virus can live on surfaces and can be transmitted from small water droplets from people’s mouths,” Stephens said.
Stephens also said to wipe down your handles and sinks in the dorms and apartments with Clorox and to wash your bed sheets and towels regularly to kill the virus on those surfaces.
As well as taking a physical toll, the virus is also taking an emotional toll on students with the symptoms.
“I’m still drained from the whole experience,” Cervenka said. “Take every precaution necessary, and don’t make your friends coming back from quarantine feel bad or different, it could just as easily happen to you.”
Stephens agreed that the quarantine can effect students emotional state.
“When you’re treated like an alien by being isolated, it is very difficult for young people,” Stephens said.
