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Marquette Deals with First Swine Flu Case
By Jay Sorgi
Story Updated: Sep 9, 2009
Audio: MU Spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien Miller on 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News"
MILWAUKEE - For the first time, swine flu has hit Marquette University.
One student has a confirmed case of the swine flu, and that student is now recovering.
"At this point, we do just have the one case," said Marquette University Spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien Miller on 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."
"I've been told we haven't seen a really large impact at our Student Health Services yet. We've just had a handful of students coming in with flu-like symptoms."
She said that based on CDC and Milwaukee Health Department guidelines, the university will not test every student that comes in, but will send out tests that meet specific higher-risk criteria or have a certain type of strain of the flu.
Right now, the school is hoping to avoid the situation now confronting the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as university health officials there say that a majority of 200 students seeking medical attention the first week of school have the swine flu.
To help prevent that at Marquette, the university is advocating a number of prevention options.
"One, if you're sick, especially with a fever, stay home. Please stay home," Miller suggests.
"For our students, we've encouraged our students to call Student Health Services, and they'll be screened from home for their symptoms. They can take it from there as far as what type of treatment they need. Some of them might not even need to come into Student Health. Others we will want to see."
Beyond that, Miller offers what the school says is simply common sense, things like hand washing, using hand sanitize, and not touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
Plans If Students Receive Swine Flu
Miller also says the university doesn't want sick students on campus if at all possible.
"We have told students and parents that the best place if they do have to recover from the flu is at home with their parents and families," said Miller.
That may be easy for commuters or students whose families are from Wisconsin or the Chicago area, but what about those who come from far away?
"We understand that might not be feasible for everyone," Miller explains.
"Not everyone is within a comfortable driving distance, so we will have accommodations on campus for students who need it."
She also says resident assistants in the university's dorms are versed on steps to take, and they will encourage students to call Student Health.
http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/57784272.html
By Jay Sorgi
Story Updated: Sep 9, 2009
Audio: MU Spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien Miller on 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News"
MILWAUKEE - For the first time, swine flu has hit Marquette University.
One student has a confirmed case of the swine flu, and that student is now recovering.
"At this point, we do just have the one case," said Marquette University Spokeswoman Brigid O'Brien Miller on 620WTMJ's "Wisconsin's Morning News."
"I've been told we haven't seen a really large impact at our Student Health Services yet. We've just had a handful of students coming in with flu-like symptoms."
She said that based on CDC and Milwaukee Health Department guidelines, the university will not test every student that comes in, but will send out tests that meet specific higher-risk criteria or have a certain type of strain of the flu.
Right now, the school is hoping to avoid the situation now confronting the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as university health officials there say that a majority of 200 students seeking medical attention the first week of school have the swine flu.
To help prevent that at Marquette, the university is advocating a number of prevention options.
"One, if you're sick, especially with a fever, stay home. Please stay home," Miller suggests.
"For our students, we've encouraged our students to call Student Health Services, and they'll be screened from home for their symptoms. They can take it from there as far as what type of treatment they need. Some of them might not even need to come into Student Health. Others we will want to see."
Beyond that, Miller offers what the school says is simply common sense, things like hand washing, using hand sanitize, and not touching your nose, mouth and eyes.
Plans If Students Receive Swine Flu
Miller also says the university doesn't want sick students on campus if at all possible.
"We have told students and parents that the best place if they do have to recover from the flu is at home with their parents and families," said Miller.
That may be easy for commuters or students whose families are from Wisconsin or the Chicago area, but what about those who come from far away?
"We understand that might not be feasible for everyone," Miller explains.
"Not everyone is within a comfortable driving distance, so we will have accommodations on campus for students who need it."
She also says resident assistants in the university's dorms are versed on steps to take, and they will encourage students to call Student Health.
http://www.620wtmj.com/news/local/57784272.html