Flu season preventions recommended

With flu season preparing to bear down on a largely unvaccinated student body, Student Health Services and the University's Department of Environment, Health & Safety are encouraging the campus community to stay ahead of the game to prevent outbreaks of the virus.

Although efforts are underway to find a replacement flu vaccine through Aventis Pasteur Inc., health care workers will continue to have top priority, said Peter Reinhardt, director of EHS.

"It's going to be tight," he said. "UNC Hospitals haven't received their full allocation either."

Officials underscored the need for students to avoid close contact with people who are sick and to avoid social situations when ill.

But if students must go to class sick, Donna King, health education coordinator for EHS, suggested they keep their hands clean and use tissues so as not to leave germs behind.

She added that during exam time, students should be careful not to succumb to excessive stress, which can weaken the immune system.

"The thing to do is not to get so worn down to begin with," King said. "We should get the proper rest and stress breaks ... because stress can make us more susceptible to germs."

Carol Kozel, nursing director of UNC Student Health Services, said the American College Health Association recommends that professors allow sick students to be excused from class without a doctor's note.

But Chairwoman of the Faculty Judith Wegner said this option will not be likely to occur.

"I'm sure that (ACHA) are doing their best to give good guidance ... but in order to be even-handed about it, having a system where students check in with Student Health makes sense to me," she said, after expressing concern that students who skip class would have an advantage over those who attend regularly.

In the meantime, King recommends students visit SHS if they find they cannot take care of themselves without help.

"Students need to be mindful of fever and respiratory symptoms where they've got beyond your basic stuffy head. ... (Influenza) is just a little bit more intense than a regular cold and usually comes on suddenly."

The EHS department is entering flu season, which runs from November to March, with a hand- washing campaign to educate students on the preventative value of this practice.

King said that hand-washing is one of the most effective methods of illness prevention.

"Our hands are our number one germ sponges that we have," King said. "We want to avoid touching our eyes, nose and mouth with contaminated or germy hands."

She recommended washing hands thoroughly with warm water and soap for about 20 seconds. She noted that hand sanitizing liquid or towelettes are suitable alternatives.

Reinhardt said the campaign will include the distribution of posters and information on campus and via e-mail.

"We're also working with Carolina Dining Services," he said. "They'll be encouraging people to wash their hands as well."

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.