28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

[cmmc]

28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=11108716
Posted: Sep 10, 2009 3:17 PM EDT Updated: Sep 10, 2009 3:36 PM EDT


By Sara Story - bio | email

JACKSONVILLE, TX (KLTV) - Seven students at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville were sent to the hospital Thursday morning with possible cases of the H1N1 virus.

The president of the university, Miles McCall, said two students woke up with flu-like symptoms and could not get out of bed. An ambulance was called around 8:15 a.m., and two students were sent to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital.

After checking other students in the dorm for symptoms of the flue, five more were sent to the hospital to be tested.

McCall says the school has emptied the dorm and a thorough cleaning of the rooms is underway.

Since the announcement, 21 additional students have checked themselves into the emergency room with flu-like symptoms.

Out of all of the possible cases, three have tested positive for type A influenza.

The school plans to remain open and classes continue.

 

[JetStuuby]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

This is interesting. The 2000+ students at WSU have had none hospitalised and in Texas here are 28 requiring some form of treatment at hospital. Two requiring an ambulance to be called.

I wonder what the difference is ?

 

[alert]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

Possibly the students were on their own in a dorm, so that being unable to get out of bed (which really isn't that uncommon with flu) would cause someone to call 911. Perhaps at WSU, more of the students were commuters, who might still live with their parents, who might be able to help take care of them if ill...

Alternatively, perhaps there is MRSA or pneumococcal involvement in this outbreak.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

Only 3 tested positive for Influenza A, seems a sensationalist header.

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

UPDATE: 31 Treated at Mother Frances Hospital Jacksonville

By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer

JACKSONVILLE ? Medical officials at both Mother Frances and East Texas Medical Center in this Cherokee County city have confirmed they have patients from Lon Morris College who are suffering flu-like symptoms.


As of 3 p.m. Thursday, Mother Frances Hospital in Jacksonville had treated 31 people for flu-like symptoms, said John Moore, Mother Frances spokesperson. All but two were treated and released, he said.

Natalie Duncan, Mother Frances Jacksonville administrative assistant, told the Tyler Morning Telegraph seven students from the college were transported this morning with flu-like symptoms.


?We are coordinating our efforts with Miles McComb, the president of Lon Morris College, and working closely with them,? she said. ?We have posted our phone number at the college for students wishing to talk to medical personnel.?

Ms. Duncan said besides the seven students they have, they also have had calls from students concerned they may be infected with the flu. She added the hospital has been told that public health officials are also on the scene at Lon Morris College.

?We are currently making ourselves available to the students and doctors are on hand as needed,? she said.

Michael James, communication director for Lon Morris College, said all of the affected students are athletes who resided in the Clark Hall dormitory. As a result, the college's athletic training facility has been closed until disinfection can begin. Disinfectant and medical supplies provided by the City of Jacksonville are being sent to the campus, James said.

?I don't know if this is swine flu or regular flu, but it's definitely flu-like symptoms,? he said.

John Moore, public information officer for Mother Frances Hospital, said doctors are telling those with flu symptoms if they seek treatment within the first 48 hours of onset of symptoms, it may reduce the duration of the illness. Doctors also suggest those with flu-like symptoms stay home from work and school for seven days from the onset of symptoms to prevent spreading the flu, Moore said.

East Texas Medical Center in Jacksonville reported it is treating one Lon Morris student with flu-like symptoms.

Tyler Paper reporters are on the scene at Lon Morris College to speak with officials and learn more details about what they are doing to deal with the apparent outbreak. A press conference is expected later this morning.


http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090910/NEWS01/909109998/0/FRONTPAGE

 

[alert]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

All but two were treated and released, he said.


http://www.tylerpaper.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090910/NEWS01/909109998/0/FRONTPAGE

There's your answer. Many college students away from home will use the local ER instead of a doctor, as their family doctor might be hundreds of miles away. I would guess that WSU is more of a commuter school, so people visited their own doctor, instead of the ER near campus.

 

[Commonground]

Re: 28 students go to emergency room with flu-like symptoms

Washington State University provides on-campus housing for 6,385 of its 21,822 (full-time) students (as of 2007). The school requires freshmen to live on campus.

http://www.braintrack.com/college/u/washington-state-university