: UCM News
Illness claims student seats in various classes
Nov 5, 2009, 11:17 AM
By RAVEN KRESSE, The Muleskinner
WARRENSBURG, Mo. --Numerous empty chairs seem to be a common sight in classrooms this fall. Have students already hit the mid-semester slump? Or is illness and fear of flu and H1N1 the cause for vacant classrooms?
The University has taken steps to try to slow down the spread of flu and other flu-related illnesses. In early September, UCM’s class attendance policy was modified campus-wide for the 2009-10 academic year. In many campus buildings, signs and posters were scattered in hallways encouraging students to stay home if sick.
Rebecca Steckel, assistant director of University Health Services, said the University Health Center has been treating a variety of illnesses.
“We’ve been running very similar to usual this fall with upper respiratory infections, but there has been more flu viruses this year,” Steckel said. “Because of H1N1, the flu season started earlier than in other years. Last year, in August, there was no flu activity, but this year, there was.”
The health center has received a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. Students and University employees ages 17 to 24 are the first priority to receive the vaccine. The vaccine is given free of charge and is in the form of a nasal flu mist.
“For the [vaccines] we have had available, we have had a huge turnout,” Steckel said. “There were only 400 doses available and we went through all of them. When we have the vaccine, we send e-mails out to let students know. We plan to continue to receive vaccines, and will also update our Web site when we [receive] them.”
The health center Web site gives students information about how to help prevent the spread of flu-like illness. Students infected with flu or H1N1 may be contagious one day prior to getting sick and up to seven days after being sick.
If students are sick, it is best to protect others by staying home until fever free for 24 hours. Frequent washing of hands and coughing into a sleeve or tissue may also help reduce the risk of spreading illness. Students should also be proactive during flu season by practicing good nutrition and getting adequate rest.
Cory Rehmsmeyer, a senior biology major, is trying to use these methods to stay healthy.
“I haven’t been sick yet, but every one of my friends have been sick,” Rehmsmeyer said. “None of my professors have been sick, but my classes have been really empty lately. I am taking Vitamin C to try to stay healthy and I try to get plenty of sleep, but with a full course load it’s sometimes hard.”
Samantha Spiece, a senior public relations major, is also trying to stay healthy.
“I try to wash my hands more often because of all the illness going around,” Spiece said. “I also carry hand sanitizer in my purse that I use a lot. None of my professors have been sick, but a lot of people have been missing from class.”
Students interested in additional information about the flu virus, H1N1 or other health-related issues may visit the University Health Center Web site at www.ucmo.edu/uhc.
The University has taken steps to try to slow down the spread of flu and other flu-related illnesses. In early September, UCM’s class attendance policy was modified campus-wide for the 2009-10 academic year. In many campus buildings, signs and posters were scattered in hallways encouraging students to stay home if sick.
Rebecca Steckel, assistant director of University Health Services, said the University Health Center has been treating a variety of illnesses.
“We’ve been running very similar to usual this fall with upper respiratory infections, but there has been more flu viruses this year,” Steckel said. “Because of H1N1, the flu season started earlier than in other years. Last year, in August, there was no flu activity, but this year, there was.”
The health center has received a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. Students and University employees ages 17 to 24 are the first priority to receive the vaccine. The vaccine is given free of charge and is in the form of a nasal flu mist.
“For the [vaccines] we have had available, we have had a huge turnout,” Steckel said. “There were only 400 doses available and we went through all of them. When we have the vaccine, we send e-mails out to let students know. We plan to continue to receive vaccines, and will also update our Web site when we [receive] them.”
The health center Web site gives students information about how to help prevent the spread of flu-like illness. Students infected with flu or H1N1 may be contagious one day prior to getting sick and up to seven days after being sick.
If students are sick, it is best to protect others by staying home until fever free for 24 hours. Frequent washing of hands and coughing into a sleeve or tissue may also help reduce the risk of spreading illness. Students should also be proactive during flu season by practicing good nutrition and getting adequate rest.
Cory Rehmsmeyer, a senior biology major, is trying to use these methods to stay healthy.
“I haven’t been sick yet, but every one of my friends have been sick,” Rehmsmeyer said. “None of my professors have been sick, but my classes have been really empty lately. I am taking Vitamin C to try to stay healthy and I try to get plenty of sleep, but with a full course load it’s sometimes hard.”
Samantha Spiece, a senior public relations major, is also trying to stay healthy.
“I try to wash my hands more often because of all the illness going around,” Spiece said. “I also carry hand sanitizer in my purse that I use a lot. None of my professors have been sick, but a lot of people have been missing from class.”
Students interested in additional information about the flu virus, H1N1 or other health-related issues may visit the University Health Center Web site at www.ucmo.edu/uhc.
