University of Colorado at Boulder health officials today reported that for the third week they are seeing fewer cases of students with flu-like symptoms at Wardenburg Health Center. The number of students seen in the clinic with flu-like symptoms since Aug. 1 is 581.
The number includes students living both on and off campus. It does not include students who have been seen by an off-campus health care provider or those who called to talk with a nurse on the phone. The university has scaled back its Type A influenza testing, testing only students who meet high-risk criteria or who are hospitalized. To date, two students have been hospitalized and both have recovered from their flu symptoms.
According to officials, while the number of cases at CU appears to be going down, there are ongoing infections around Boulder County and H1N1 is widespread across the state.
"We continue to advise people with risk factors -- pregnant women, people with asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, immuno-compromising conditions, kidney or liver diseases --or worsening influenza symptoms to seek medical attention right away," said Dr. Pamela Talley, lead physician for medical clinics at Wardenburg. "Those without risk factors or worsening flu symptoms should stay home and call their medical provider to discuss treatment."
CU-Boulder is coordinating with state and county health agencies on future vaccination clinics. When the vaccine becomes available, Wardenburg Health Center will hold a series of H1N1 vaccination clinics with high-risk populations receiving the first vaccinations.
"While we wait for distribution of the H1N1 vaccine, we encourage people -- especially those with high risk factors or those who live in close household contact with at-risk persons -- to get the seasonal flu vaccine early. It's already available at many pharmacies, grocery stores and doctors' offices," said Talley.
For students in high-risk categories, CU-Boulder will offer seasonal flu vaccinations on Wednesday, Oct. 14, and Thursday, Oct. 15, from noon to 4 p.m. in the west solarium of Wardenburg Health Center. These clinics will operate on a walk-in basis for students in high-risk categories only. The seasonal flu vaccine is fully covered for those with the Student Gold Plan health insurance and costs $20 for students without coverage.
Students living in the residence halls who have flu-like symptoms are urged to stay in their residence hall rooms, not to enter large-group settings until at least 24 hours after any fever has ended (without the aid of fever-reducing medications), and report flu-like symptoms to their hall director or resident adviser. Housing and dining staff will deliver kits including food items and surgical masks to residents who report flu-like illness. Community Health information tables have been provided at dining facilities during meal times to encourage good hygiene practices and to answer questions that students have about the flu.
Students who think they may have symptoms related to H1N1 may call the Wardenburg Health Center nurse line at 303-492-3435 on Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents with H1N1 concerns can call Parent Relations at 303-492-1380.
The CU-Boulder H1N1 Flu Web site has information on measures to prevent and manage influenza-like illness at .
Wardenburg Health Center has posted recommendations on protecting against and treating influenza on its Web site at . There also is a link on "What to Do When We Are Closed" at .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for institutions of higher education are posted at .