You don’t have it. It’s understandable to shrink away from that kid in your classes who sneezes violently and repeatedly when this thing is being hyped so much, but it’s allergy season, and almost finals week, so you’re lucky if you don’t exhibit some disease symptoms at this time every year.
The swine flu situation is still developing, but so far it doesn’t seem to be especially dangerous in this country, or to be spreading too quickly. There are three suspected cases of it among school-age kids in Connecticut, but at this point they’re only suspected.
Pandemics are terrifying, but as with other recent pandemic disease fears, everybody is way too prepared for this to become a serious thing.
And Wesleyan is fully stocked with disease contingency plans in case it does become a serious thing in Connecticut. According to the Argus:
“In the event the situation becomes more serious we will communicate through the emergency notification system to advise the campus community of necessary steps,” [Dr. Davis Smith, Medical Director of Health Services]wrote.
The health department has a number of emergency response strategies prepared for various health situations, including a plan to deal with an influenza epidemic. In a worse case scenario where the disease did spread and cases were severe, Smith mentioned the possibility of banning close gatherings of large groups of people, or potentially even closing the school. But none of these are likely to be implemented in the near future.
“There is no cause for panic,” Smith wrote.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health currently defines the illness as:
Fever >100°F (37.8°C) plus cough or sore throat AND a history of travel in the 7 days prior to symptom onset to areas with confirmed cases of swine flu.
If your confidence about fitting this description is stronger than your general hypochondria, call the Davison Health Center at 860.685.2470 to discuss it.
Otherwise, wash your hands regularly, take some vitamin C if you’re stressed, you will be fine.
Here’s up-to-date coverage of the swine flu situation:
NY Times: Swine flu coverage
CDC: Swine influenza: General Information
Though the media is blowing things out of proportion, this is the first time in a while the CDC has raised it’s threat level to 5/6 in recent memory. There is some real level for concern.
Though the media is blowing things out of proportion, this is the first time in a while the CDC has raised it’s threat level to 5/6 in recent memory. There is some real level for concern.
@11:01
I know someone who was tested, not him.
-not 5:22
@11:01
I know someone who was tested, not him.
-not 5:22
@5:22:
I heard it was the President’s son, Asher.
@5:22:
I heard it was the President’s son, Asher.
I hate to fear monger, but…
http://www.courant.com/news/health/hc-swine-flu-fears-0430.artapr30,0,5907605.story
middlefield! ahhhh! run!
Swine flu has nothing to do with pigs anymore! Stop blaming it on those cute-ass creatures!
Swine flu has nothing to do with pigs anymore! Stop blaming it on those cute-ass creatures!
is it true that victims develop “pig-like” symptoms only 72 hours after contracting the virus?
is it true that victims develop “pig-like” symptoms only 72 hours after contracting the virus?
stupid media… spreading fear and panic across the land to boost ratings and beat the competition
stupid media… spreading fear and panic across the land to boost ratings and beat the competition
You have a higher likelihood of dieing from the flu than swine flu. I’m sick of these ridiculous panics.
You have a higher likelihood of dieing from the flu than swine flu. I’m sick of these ridiculous panics.
there’s a kid at wesleyan being tested for swine flu
there’s a kid at wesleyan being tested for swine flu
hmm no i’m pretty sure i have swine flu
hmm no i’m pretty sure i have swine flu