The Swine Flu (also known as the H1N1 virus) has hit multiple college campuses so far in 2009 and is expected to continue to do so. While there is a lot of information available about swine flu in general, getting the specifics for your college or university might be a bit of a challenge. Fortunately, most campuses are making information readily available for students (and families) who have concerns.
Check With Your Campus Health Center
Your campus health center is probably the best place to start. (Don't have a campus health center? Check with a student activities office or the dean of students.) They should have information available -- either in an office or online -- for students and families who have questions about swine flu. Your campus may already have policies in place for how to deal with things like a major flu outbreak; students may be quarantined in their residence hall rooms or asked not to come to campus until their fevers have broken, for example. Stop by your campus health center, call them for information, or check out their website to find out what your school's policy is. Additionally, if you think you might have swine flu, heading to the health center as soon as possible is probably a good bet, too.
Check Out the American College Health Association
If you're concerned about the number of swine flu outbreaks in your area (or if your parents are making you bonkers with their worrying), you can check out the "Pandemic Influenza Surveillance" website from the American College Health Association (ACHA). It keeps a weekly update of H1N1 cases, as reported by participating colleges and universities. (Additional hint: This can be a great resource if you're writing a paper on the topic this semester.)
Check With Your Regular Doctor
If you want more information about getting a possible swine flu vaccine or having your symptoms (if you have any) checked out, you may want to give your regular doctor a call -- or a visit. He or she can be a great resource about what your options are for vaccines, treatment, and prevention. If your regular doctor is far away from where your school is, see if you can visit another doctor in your area or make an appointment with your campus health center.
