I’m pretty sure everyone feels a little uneasy when taking an elevator. This is mainly due to being in a moving element and not having a quick means of escape. Now imagine if you were stuck on the elevator with a person who was coughing and sneezing hysterically. In a situation like this, you pretend not to notice them infecting the entire elevator but there are probably a thousand things running through your mind. Such as, ‘Damnit, that guy just gave me swine flu!’

On my way to the health centre for a checkup after my ‘situation’, I decided to speak to someone on the details of swine flu. SMU’s registered nurse, Ms. Jane Collins, has been at SMU for 15 years and is presently the department head for the Health Centre at the school. Ms. Collins is mostly in charge of booking the 5 family doctors who rotate positions daily.

If you haven’t heard of H1N1 before, then chances are you’re more accustomed to its generic term of ‘swine flu.’ H1N1 happens to be a respiratory illness with symptoms similar to those of regular human influenza and no, it is NOT transmitted through pork meat. Presently it is contagious to humans and it can be spread when coughs and sneezes release germs into the air where they are breathed in by others. (Yes, that was for the guy on the elevator, too disgusting!) Germs can also rest on hard surfaces like open counters of doorknobs for up to SIX hours, where they can be picked up by hands.

Fortunately it seems SMU hasn’t really seen a major break out of the H1N1 (human swine influenza) virus as of yet and we all cross our fingers that we never will. Symptoms for swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza: cough, fever/chills, fatigue, body aches/headache, sore throat and sometimes vomiting mixed with diarrhea (sounds like a dream). Any students or staff member who do suffer from these symptoms NEEDS to AVOID close contact with others for at least seven days because this is the time where you are the most contagious. Avoiding public places such as school, work, and social settings would be best. If the symptoms worsen, they should consult a doctor.

The university has set aside a few guidelines for all students and faculty members so that the risk of infection is decreased. Ms. Collins advises students to take care of their body because it helps to prevent risk of infection. Good health basically tends to boost the immune system making you less susceptible to germs.

Students should get a lot of rest to increase energy and maintain a healthy diet by eating the right foods: no, McDonalds does not fall into this category, unfortunately. Drinking a minimum of eight glasses of water a day and consuming a lot of fruits such as cloves of garlic and oranges which carry vitamin C, can help boost the immune system. However, such fruits are very acidic may tend to conflict with the human system after a while, which includes orange juice as well. The best way of getting Vitamin C for the body would be to simply purchase vitamin C pills from your local health store. A simple tablet may be the difference between you picking up an infection on the elevator or your body rejecting the H1N1 virus!

The best way of prevention, is simple awareness. Let’s, be smart people, even if you have a new boy/girlfriend right now, don’t share drinking glasses, water bottles, eating utensils or even mouth guards. People seem to overlook the fact that germs and infections are contagious and can be passed by open mouthed coughing and sneezing. Students and faculty are asked to cough and sneeze into the CROOK OF YOUR ELBOW, instead of hands, and if you see them doing otherwise, simply let them know. This is very important because hands are our main source of interaction, so we should take great care in keeping them sterile. The hand sanitizers that were placed throughout the school this year are alcohol based sanitizers, which kill germs and bacteria that are passed daily. However, studies have shown that washing hands with hot water and soap is A LOT more effective.

Fortunately, my discussion with Ms. Collins did have some good news. It seems that since the H1N1 influenza virus in Canada is not as severe as expected nor is it spreading quickly, the country’s top public health official has planned to prolong the introduction of the vaccine. Canadians will be pleased to hear that it will be ready by early November because the majority of cases so far have been mild, and Canada has not seen any widespread influenza activity, it will allow Health Canada to follow the regulatory process set out for approving the pandemic vaccine.

If any students are being affected by fever, body aches, sore throat, constant coughing, fatigue and muscle pain, you are asked to contact the health centre for advice on the situation. Saint Mary’s University has implemented an improved health system this year, that’s aimed at minimizing the spread of all flu and infections. Even if students are suffering and aren’t capable of walking to the health centre then it is possible for the nurse to come and see you. At this time you can email your professor about the situation, and the nurse would write a sick note for you. Ms. Collins also is available for consultation on this and other personal issues. She advises any new students or staff to contact her at 902-496-8778 or email at jane.collins@smu.ca.

If you would like more information on swine flu, including current affected areas, it is available at www.gov.ns.ca/hpp or you can also call 1-888-451-4222, Nova Scotia’s toll free H1N1 information line.