Wendy Wetzel (left), and Cindy Roth (right), in an examination room at Fronske Health Center on NAU's campus. Fronske will be the dedicated H1N1 vaccine clinic for NAU's campus. (Photo: LeeDa Miller/NAZ Today)

Young men and women at college campuses across the country are among those who are at high-risk for H1N1 influenza because of their age. Medical professionals have come to believe that “older people may possess at least some immunity to the H1N1 virus from prior exposures,” said Cindy Roth, the nurse manager at Fronske Health Center. Even though H1N1 is a new virus, there is reason to believe older people were exposed to a similar virus in 1957, making younger people a target for H1N1 said Barbara Worgess, spokesperson for the Coconino County Health Department.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, as of Oct. 31st, there have been 150 confirmed cases of the H1N1 virus in Coconino County since April of 2009. According to the Coconino County Health Department, 21 of those confirmed cases were people from 17 to 24 years of age.

Since Flagstaff residents are encouraged not to seek medical attention unless their symptoms are severe, the statistics are not comparable to those who are actually sick with the virus. The medical labs would be “overwhelmed if [they] tested everyone who had [influenza] symptoms,” so medical professionals are only testing those whose illness is severe enough for that person to be hospitalized, said Worgess. Because this age group is at highter risk for H1N1 than the regular flu, there are far more young people infected by the virus than what statistics are showing. “It’s a lot more than the numbers would indicate,” said Worgess.

Dorfman, a 20-year-old English major at NAU and a student worker at Fronske Health Center, never tested for the H1N1 virus when she became ill in October, but “without the tests [her doctor] was very sure that is what [she] had,” she said. Being a student worker at Fronske helped Dorfman to understand and prepare herself for the virus. Without the H1N1 vaccination, she was able to overcome the virus with “lots of sleep, eating well and lots and lots of fluids,” Dorfman said.

There are many factors that complicate the spread of the H1N1 virus among college students. “This age group tends to live together, study together, play together, eat together and party together,” said Roth. Like the common influenza virus, H1N1 is highly contagious and can be contracted by coming into contact with germs in the air produced by sneezing and coughing or by touching a surface that has been contaminated.

Being on college campuses and living in close proximity with other people poses a problem for students at NAU. “You can’t really get away from people while you’re on campus so you have to get sick,” said Dorfman.

There is no sure immunity to the virus for any age group, Worgess said. “Everybody is susceptible to it.”

According to Worgess, the only defense against H1N1 is vaccination and practicing public health and sanitary guidelines. Without an adequate amount of vaccine for everyone in Flagstaff, and the small amount that is available going to priority groups, everyone, including students, is urged to practice strict sanitary guidelines to prevent the spread of H1N1. Washing your hands frequently and covering your cough will substantially decrease the risk of spreading the virus. “Hand-sanitizer dispensers [have been placed] in buildings all over campus to help foster the hand-washing behavior that is so useful,” said Roth.

“Frequent hand washing is the single most important way to prevent spreading or getting flu from someone who is unaware that they are contagious,” said Roth.

Fronske and Residence Life worked together to develop an educational campaign about influenza and tips on prevention, treatment and when to seek medical attention. Information is posted on NAU’s campus telling students to “wash your hands, cover your cough with your elbow…stay home if you’re sick, [and] seek medical attention for severe symptoms,” said Roth. When enough vaccine is available for everyone, the Coconino County Health Department will be providing vaccine through Fronske Health Center. “We’ll make sure it gets to campus,” said Worgess. There is no set date for the vaccine to arrive in Flagstaff, but the health department is hopeful that it will be in November.

After contracting the virus, a person is symptom-free after 24 hours of not having a fever. “If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay home,” said Worgess. If someone does find their symptoms becoming more severe, then it is a good idea to seek medical attention. “There is no need to risk complications, if you think you are getting…sick[er,] than you should see someone,” said Dorfman.

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On the net:

CDC H1N1 Resources for Colleges and Universities

Arizona Dept. of Health Services H1N1 Statistics