Swine Flu Invades UGA Campus

Jessica Walker
left: Flyer dispayed in the University Health Center lobby on how to keep from spreading the flu.


ATHENS, Ga. – As the number of swine flu cases on campus rise, students are becoming increasingly concerned about missing important classes.

“We are estimating we have seen around 400 cases at the health center,” said Liz Rachun, health communications coordinator of the University Health Center. “The actual confirmed number is 148. My guess is that there are probably at least 1000 cases on campus including students who went home to see their private doctors or weren’t ill enough to seek medical care.”

Although students’ concerns about the swine flu differ, they tend to share a common thread: Will they be able to catch up if they have to miss several days, maybe even weeks of classes?

“If I were to catch it, I would be concerned about missing a week of classes,” said senior Barclay Hendrix.

Third-year Ph.D. student Jackie Young agrees, “I would be concerned, but I wouldn’t go. I would send emails to my professors to see what work I missed and make up work.”

Despite an awareness of swine flu, some UGA faculty has not made any strides to assist sick students. In fact, some professors haven’t even addressed apprehension about the swine flu.

Food and nutrition science professor Dr. Jung Sun Lee said, “I haven’t made any specific provisions in my policies, but I have made sure to remind students to be careful and provided tips to staying healthy.”

Unlike Professor Lee, Accounting Professor Swati Bhandarkar changed the number of quizzes she drops from two to three in case students have to miss class because of the swine flu.

Of course no one wants the flu, but some students are taking more precautions than others to ensure that they stay healthy.

When asked if he was worried about catching the swine flu, Young said, “Yes, definitely. I try to wash my hands often and be aware of people around me that may be sick.”

Hendrix, on the other hand, is not concerned at all about catching swine flu. “None of my friends have it and nobody in my classes has it,” she said. “It is not something I’m worried about.”

Graduate student Katie Hudson said, “I have never had the flu and I do not plan on getting the flu vaccine.”

The University heath center will be offering the swine flu vaccine in addition to season flu vaccine

“We are expected to receive H1N1 vaccine sometime in mid- October, although a lot is still in the air as far as CDCs recommendations,” said Rachun. “We may receive as many as 14,000 doses because the desire is to vaccinate at least 40% of the student body.”

Rachun goes on to say, “We will be offering seasonal flu shots by the end of September. As soon as our supply arrives (expected September 25) we will begin making appointments. Information will be posted on our website. We will have 3,000 doses which usually meets demand.”

Despite the availability of the vaccines, some students still do not plan to be vaccinated.