Despite the growing public health concern of H1N1, more commonly known as Swine Flu, student absences from class are remaining consistent with the figures from flu seasons in previous years, Special Assistant to the Chancellor Barb Daus said.

Pickard Resident Assistant William Berg, junior engineering major, said he has not noticed many people with the flu in Pickard Hall. Berg said that people have been reporting colds, but few residences in his wing have reported flu-like symptoms. If a student exhibits flu-like symptoms, Berg encourages them to self-isolate and go home if at all possible. If the student remains on campus, they should remain in their dorm rooms and see if a friend or an RA can get their meals for them from the Pioneer Student Center or Greenwood Avenue Market, so they come in contact with as few people as possible.

Daus said that Student Health Services does not test for H1N1, but students and faculty members, who have been tested off campus, have tested positive for Influenza A.

When a person goes to the doctor with flu symptoms, the patient is first tested for Influenza A. If those test results are positive the patient is then tested for H1N1. The Wisconsin Division of Public Health reports that 99 percent of people who test positive for Influenza A also test positive for H1N1.

The American College Health Association is tracking cases of H1N1 on college campuses across the nation. ACHA is conducting Influenza Like Illness surveillance, and ILI reports that the population between the ages of 17 and 24, college-aged people, accounted for 92 percent of the cases of H1N1 reported for the week of Oct. 19-23. ILI also states that for the same week, Wisconsin reported 149 confirmed cases of H1N1 out of 87, 344 people tested.

Daus advised members of the campus community who exhibit flu-like symptoms to take appropriate measures, including getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids and self-isolation for 24 hours after a fever has subsided. People also need to be wary of chest pains, dizziness, seizures, uncontrollable vomiting and difficult breathing; because these symptoms indicate a medical emergency, and a doctor should be contacted.

“We need to be mindful about illnesses,” Daus said. “The best way to prevent illness is to take precautions. If you are sick don’t spread it around.”

H1N1 vaccines are tentatively scheduled to be available from Student Health Services on Wednesday, Nov. 11.