Feature Story - H1N1 (Swine) Flu

Have a fever, chills and sweats, body aches and congestion? These are the symptoms of the H1N1 (Swine) Flu that swept across the country and college campuses over the past months.

The H1N1 virus often called “swine” is a new influenza strain that has begun to cause illness among people in 2009. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the first reported case in humans was detected in April of 2009. Since, the virus has spread person-to-person in the same way the seasonal flu spreads every year.

A question many have asked is “how to protect themselves from getting sick?” According to the CDC the first and most important step is to get the vaccine that has been offered to the public. After that they suggest that whenever you sneeze or cough to use a tissue and to always dispose of the tissue immediately. Wash your hands with hot water and soap often. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose with your hands because this is an easy way for germs to spread. Try to avoid close contact with individuals who may be sick. And finally if you are sick with any of the symptoms you should seek medical attention or stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

The symptoms of this new strain of the flu are very similar to those of the seasonal flu. The CDC has reported that the 2009 H1N1 virus symptoms in people often include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported with the virus in some instances.

Globally the exact number of cases of H1N1 cannot be confirmed. However on the Roger Williams University campus Ann Andrade Director and Nurse Practitioner of Health Services stated that the Health Center has seen roughly 200-250 flu like symptom cases. Andrade stated that determining the difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 can only be done by a test.

Health services at RWU can conduct the test for H1N1 but cannot process the test on campus. Health services conduct sample tests which then are sent to the Department of Health in Rhode Island and then tested. RWU has sent positive tests to the Department of Health since students began showing symptoms on campus.

If you are showing symptoms of H1N1 health services does recommend you return home if possible or quarantine yourself in your room until fever has passed. If you have a roommate they ask that your roommate move out if possible for the duration of time it takes your fever to dissipate. According to Andrade a majority of those infected have left campus. Most students return in 4 days but some have stayed home for up to a week.

Even though many cases have been reported on college campuses nationwide college campuses are not the main hotspot for the H1N1. According to Andrade K-12 is the main hotspot for the virus. The college age group is also a hotspot but this age group has been in contact with other viruses over the years so we do have some immunity. The K-12 age group however has had no exposure to other viruses and therefore is the most at risk to catch the virus. The only reason college campuses have a high chance of catching the viruses is because of university housing. So many students in such a confined area of living always increase the chance to catch illnesses such as the H1N1.

Leigh-Ann Thornlimb, 20, a Roger Williams student had the H1N1 virus earlier this year. Thornlimb discovered she had H1N1 when she became ill for a couple of days. She then proceeded to Health Services where they swabbed her nose and tested her for H1N1. Health Services advised Thornlimb to leave campus as soon as possible and await the results of the nose swab. Thornlimb was then contacted by Rhode Island Health Department which confirmed that she had H1N1. Thornlimb described the virus as awful. “I had pain in my joints, it hurt to walk at some points or do anything which required moving.” Thornlimb left campus for 5 days in which she stayed at home and slept and got better over time. Thornlimb described the illness as one of the worst illnesses she has ever had.

Chelsea Zaharko, 20, also a Roger Williams student is Thornlimb’s roommate. “I was very worried throughout the process” “I was worried for Leigh-Ann but I was also freaking that I may get the virus also.” Zaharko took many precautions not to get the virus after Thornlimb was diagnosed. “I Clorox wiped everything in the room, I covered her side of the room with sheets and I took a lot of vitamins.” Zaharko said that she did not think to get the vaccine after Thornlimb was diagnosed but is now going to get the vaccine.

The H1N1 vaccine is now being offered on the RWU campus. Students can receive the vaccine between 10 am and 3 pm on the days of December 9^th, 10^th and 11^th at the Recreation Center 2^nd floor.

Teddy Swanson

Teddy Swanson

When most kids arrive at college they just trying and be the student there parents want to be. Teddy Swanson on the other hand became the student and also became an athlete.

To be a student athlete in college the NCAA has multiple criteria. You must take a minimum of twelve credits a semester and you must maintain a 2.0 GPA throughout your college career.

Swanson is a member of the Swimming and Diving team at Roger Williams University. He is a sophomore and a top performer on the men’s team. During Swanson’s first year on the team he posted multiple top three finishes in dual meets and placed in the top twelve at championships.

Not only is Swanson and athlete but a student as well. Swanson is majoring in Computer Science while attending RWU. According to Swanson “Classes have been going well, but sometimes with my swim schedule I find it hard to balance my work.”

Swanson has had a fairly easy time adjusting to being a student athlete in college compared to high school. “It’s difficult with all the free time at college compared to high school. I don’t have a set schedule like in high school.”

According to Swanson his first year went great. He did well in school and performed very well on the season. “I’ve done it one year now successfully. This year I hope that I can do it just as well and perform better.”

First Profile - Annabelle Smith

Annabelle Smith, a Roger Williams sophomore is having a fun experience at school but is also facing some common issues among college students.

She is having fun and getting her work done but is facing some typical issues; she is an undecided major and having thoughts of transferring. Smith has expressed interest in the psychology and anthropology fields but is still uncertain of what she wants to do when she grows up. According to Smith, Roger Williams reminds her too much of her boarding school Tabor Academy.

Adapting to the lifestyle of college was a simple task for Smith. Her experiences from her boarding school helped her cope with the usual issues. Smith never experienced any homesickness whatsoever nor did she ever have anything happen to make her want to go home. Smith’s best friends on campus also live in the same building as she does, making it convenient to visit or see them at any time.

Though Smith adapted well to the college lifestyle, she did have some initial issues with school. The workload of college overwhelmed Smith at some points during the first semester. Throughout high school Smith had mandatory study halls every night. She said “Its harder with all the freedom.”

Smith is striving for excellence now that she has overcoming the early stages of college. In her sophomore year she has buckled down and has begun to better manage her time and get her work done. Even though she is still undecided on what to study and still has thoughts of transferring Smith said, “I am trying to find the right path.”

9/14 Assignment

Rep Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s speech was very rude and out of the ordinary for that type of situation. But I do feel that it showed what America has been seeing for the past couple weeks with all of these town hall meetings. The truth is with this subject that emotions are running high and people are worried about what will happen. This outburst was unacceptable and Wilson has since apologized, but it shows us how serious this situation is.

Glenn Beck’s statement of president Obama being a racist was foolish. I watched the clip many times and felt that he was just fumbling through his words trying to say something. He was not thinking at all with what he said and probably didn’t mean it at all. That still doesn’t make his statement acceptable or put him in the clear for what he said. I don’t think Beck thinks before he speaks, plain and simple.