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Daily flu updates on web
In response to a high level of interest in the H1N1 virus, HWS is issuing periodic updates regarding patient visits to the student health clinic and the availability of vaccines for the seasonal flu and the novel influenza H1N1 virus.
H1N1 updates are being posted at
h1n1flu.wsu.edu , an H1N1 Flu Guidance website created by the WSU Office of Emergency Management. The website also provides information about preventing the spread of the virus, recognizing the symptoms of the virus, and self-care information for people who become ill. |
PULLMAN – WSU students with flu-like symptoms continued to visit the WSU health clinic over the weekend, and local health officials say students in the K-12 system are beginning to report flu-like symptoms as well.
All of the cases continue to be relatively short-lived and mild, but Dr. Timothy Moody, chief health officer of the Whitman County Department of Public Health, said it is important for people to follow commonsense guidelines for reducing the spread of the virus.
“We’re really pushing hygienic measures,” he said, such as washing hands frequently and avoiding touching your mouth, eyes or nose. In addition, he said, anyone who becomes sick should stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever subsides, without the aid of a fever-reducing medication.
For working parents with young children, that can be difficult.
“Everyone needs to make a plan,” Moody said, so that those who are sick can be cared for in isolation and not continue to spread the virus at school or daycare settings.
According to state and local health officials, the flu making the rounds in Pullman is most likely the H1N1 virus – for which there is not yet a vaccine available – but the regular, seasonal flu is expected to emerge later this fall. Flu shots now being offered by local pharmacies and medical offices will help protect from that flu.
“Those who are accustomed to getting a flu shot should get it as soon as it’s available,” Moody said.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends flu shots for anyone who wants to reduce his or her risk of getting the flu, but it encourages flu shots for certain groups: children aged 6 months to 19 years; pregnant women; people age 50 or older; anyone with a chronic medical condition; people in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; anyone who lives with or cares for someone in a high-risk category.
On the Pullman campus, Health and Wellness Services (HWS) is offering seasonal flu vaccine to students who are at high risk for complications from influenza. According to an HWS update, additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine will arrive at WSU later this week and the clinic will then begin to offer the seasonal flu vaccine to non-high-risk students.
Along with other healthcare providers, HWS does not expect to receive any doses of the H1N1 vaccine until mid-October, at which time it will be made available to students at high risk of complications.
According to the CDC, there will not be as many doses of H1N1 vaccine available this fall as originally planned. While the CDC initially estimated that 120 million doses would be available starting mid-October, that figure has been revised to about 45 million because of problems with the production and supply of the vaccine.
In any case, Moody said, by the time the H1N1 vaccine is available in Pullman, this community might have developed its own herd immunity.
