5 Ways College Students Can Protect Themselves from Swine Flu

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Professors routinely pressure students to attend class when they are sick. My son became sick 3 days after school started and he contacted his professors by phone to tell them he was ill. He had a severe cough and was barely able to speak. One of his professors said he expected him to be back in class in two days.

Students should stop caving in to pressure from not only professors, but their friends who encourage them to keep up with their usual activites no matter how ill they are. Peer pressure is alive and well in college, just as in high school. No one wants to be accused of "whimping out." This is especially hazardous for those (like my son) who have asthma. They are not able to tolerate respiratory illnesses as well as others and it can be a struggle for parents to convince their young adults with asthma that they need to be careful.

SAL of MT 12:22AM October 13, 2009

We have always been taught to use protection. Germs, dirt, bacteria and viruses are transferred every second from ATM machines, Touchscreen Kiosks, Gas pump touchscreens. We are using kiosks in stores, airports, libraries, museums, and ordering food. Don’t touch that screen without an F-TIPP. You may just prevent that one germ from causing you a health problem. Just wash and wear. It’s too easy not to use!

F-TIPP could be your protection against that germ that could keep you from the deadly flu this season. You can be infected by touching something with the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose.Subconsiously, we scratch our nose when it itches. If you have your F-TIPP on, most likely you will catch yourself before scratching that itch. Start protecting now, before it’s too late.

Susan of VA 6:13PM September 01, 2009

Give your student a bottle of Vitamin D supplements! Optimal levels of vitamin D will help protect people from the flu. Read what the research says, it could save your students life as wll as your own.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org

Paula Wolfe of MA 12:05AM August 28, 2009

From a news service in Canada:..

Aug 26, 2009 - 11:39 AM

DURHAM -- Pandemic plans are in place at Durham schools and post-secondary institutions in anticipation of a second wave of H1N1 this fall.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Durham College and the Durham District School Board have all been in touch with the public health department in preparation for the fall return of students, when a H1N1 outbreak is expected to hit.

Earlier this month, the Ontario Health Ministry had reported almost 3,000 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Ontario since it showed up earlier this year, claiming the lives of more than 20 people in the province. In Durham Region, 117 cases were confirmed.

"You always plan for the worst and hope for the best," said Mark Joel, a Durham District School Board superintendent. Katherine Lazenby, director of counselling and medical service at Durham College and UOIT, said the same thing.

The public school board's main plan of attack is prevention. The board is continuing to educate people about mouth covering when coughing, proper hand washing and is installing hand sanitizers at various points in schools. The board is also encouraging people to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms and discouraging parents from sending alcohol-based hand sanitizer because it's flammable and could be dangerous, Mr. Joel said. Alcohol-free ones are available in stores, he added.

Options for alcohol-free hand sanitizers available in stores and/or online are easy to find. For example: Soapopular (www.soapyusa.com), Hy5 (www.hy5sanitizer.com), HandClenz, DEB, and others.

drstu of CT 8:27AM August 27, 2009

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