H1N1 not a threat this season

by Kirsten Scheid, Staff Writer

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Despite the pandemic status of the H1N1 virus this time last year, many are not as scared of the virus striking campus this year.

“Douglas County is not predicting a problem,” said Dawn Schulz, coordinator for student health and counseling, noting that there were about 250 suspected cases at the University of Wisconsin -  Superior during last school year. 

Very few people were actually tested to see if they had H1N1 because of the high cost of the test – from $300 to $400. The diagnosis was made based on the severity of the symptoms, including a soaring temperature or extreme dehydration.  Once the Center for Disease Control determines that an illness has reached pandemic levels, professors are instructed to not penalize students who go home sick.

Some students were leery of getting the vaccine. UW-Superior Student Carri Snider said instead she practices common sense, washes her hands a lot and stays away from sick people.

Student Jeredt Runions said, “I believe in Echinacea!” He hadn't been paying attention to the news, and that he isn't afraid of catching H1N1.

Erica Schlangen says she isn't going to get the vaccine – because she had H1N1 last year, getting sick on Halloween and being rushed to the emergency room on November 1st.  She's been told she has less than 1% chance of getting it again.

This year's flu vaccine will include the H1N1 vaccine along with the standard vaccine.  During a normal year, about 30 students come to the annual Flu Shot Clinic.  Last year, because of increased awareness, about 100 students got a shot, and about the same number is expected again this year. 

This year's clinic will be held on Tues., Oct. 26th, from 9 a.m. until noon in the Shippar Family Atrium in the Yellowjacket Union.  The cost to get the shot is $22, which covers the costs of administering the shot.