Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 11/12/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Jessica Lillie

Chills, fever, cough, sore throat: are all symptoms of a common cold and seasonal flu, but these are also the symptoms of the H1N1 flu, also known as swine flu.

H1N1 flu is different from typical seasonal flu. This influenza pandemic is causing illness worldwide. H1N1 flu spreads just like the seasonal flu, and since it has caused hospitalization and death, it is taken very seriously. Due to this flu being new, immunity to the virus is not as strong. It is highly suggested that you get to a doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you suffer from most of these symptoms.

The big question on the Lakeland College campus is, "Are we prepared?" Since early 2009, when H1N1 was first brought to the public and threatened mankind globally, Lakeland College has been planning and preparing. Lakeland's staff has developed and tweaked a very intense and detailed H1N1 Flu Pandemic Response Plan, which is and has been put into action for quite some time now. This plan involves making everyone aware of H1N1 and educating them as to how to prevent getting the illness, and what to do if they develop the symptoms.

To help fight H1N1 and other types of flu, Lakeland has invested in a large supply of hand sanitizer, so students, staff, faculty and everyone else are encouraged to use it before they eat or have any contact with people. Also, our school has set aside two suites for those who have symptoms to isolate them from contact with other people. Isolations should help stop the spread of the illness.

If isolated, students cannot leave their room under any circumstances except emergencies. Before they get to their rooms, they bring an overnight bag and things to keep them busy throughout the day. The two rooms that are set aside for students that need to be isolated are stocked with fluids, so the ill person can stay hydrated. Of course students need to eat, and when that time comes, the Hall Director and Resident Assistants will bring students three meals a day.

"These rooms are like mini hotels," said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Sandy Gibbons-Vollbrecht. When a student is isolated, he or she cannot leave the isolated area until they are fever free.

Director of the Health Center Sherry Carstens said, "We ask the students, faculty, and staff to take the necessary precautions to stay healthy. If you're sick, you should stay home, so others don't become infected. Wash your hands often, don't touch your face, and cough into your elbow/shoulder and not your hands.

"This [H1N1] is a problem at all campuses and communities, and we all need to do what we can to keep it under control. I think we are prepared as well as we can be. We have created a protocol to follow depending on the symptoms and severity. We have discussed how to handle situations and who would be involved. I think we have done well so far. Like many campuses around the country this is the first time we have had to do something like this. There are always ways to improve how we do things, and we will make changes as the need arises."

There only have been about four out of all the students on campus that needed to be isolated. Lakeland would like everyone to remember to keep washing their hands often and if these symptoms are felt, see the local doctor or nurse as soon as possible. For more information contact Sherry Carstens or go to www.cdc.gov and search H1N1.

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