What's true about Swine Flu?

Amidst such conflicting rumors and information about H1N1 (or Swine Flu), it can be hard to sift the fact from the fiction, which makes it difficult for people to know what to do this flu season. Hopefully this article will provide some clarity.

As many know, H1N1 (or Swine Flu) originated in Mexico. Unbeknownst to the Mexican Government, the strain of flu was bred in pigs that had contracted two other strains of flu: human and avian. The pigs then acted as a Petri dish in which these strains of flu evolved into a single flu strain. This is why, while the H1N1 flu manifested first in pigs, it is not entirely accurate to call it Swine Flu.

H1N1 is spread in the same way as the more common seasonal flu, which means that in the North, H1N1 will spread most effectively between the months of November and March. The terms "first wave" and "second wave" are hemispherical references. In the Southern hemisphere, the most infectious months are May through September, making this the first wave. As the North spins toward winter and therefore toward cooler, drier weather, the Flu migrates North, resulting in the second wave.

H1N1 is spread from human to human, and it is treated the same way as seasonal flu. One should not fear eating properly cooked pork products. However, one should be careful not to sneeze onto someone else’s properly cooked pork products. Not only would that be unfortunate, it would be severely disgusting.

On campus, rumors regarding this flu season have spread infectiously. Faculty, staff and students should be relieved to find that most of these rumors are untrue. The single rumor that is factual is that the Alfred University Health Center does not test for the H1N1 flu. So if students go to the Health Center believing they have H1N1, staff will be attentive and careful as always, but no blood will be taken to distinguish H1N1 patients from those who have the usual cough, runny nose and a fever. According to Pam Schu, campus health and wellness director, testing everyone with these symptoms would be excessively expensive.

Initially the policy of not testing students for H1N1 may seem negligent. However, the only colleges across the nation that are testing specifically for H1N1 are those that are conducting research on its development and treatment. It is strongly suggested that any students experiencing influenza-like illness, or I.L.I., go to the Health Center. Students who have fallen ill have not been hospitalized, and will not be unless their condition becomes severe. This is a means of decreasing opportunity for the contagious flu virus. While students are not being mandated out of the classroom due to illness, they are advised to either stay home or in their on-campus residence until 24 hours after their condition has subsided.

The Alfred University Health Center office will be glad to accommodate any questions or concerns students have. Information can be found online at my.alfred.com by searching "health services." Also, Health Services offers a toll-free 24-hour telephone number for those who may need assistance after hours. The number is 877-924-7758.