2008 Woodie Awards
Test results indicate 126 sick with flu
USC outbreak case numbers will help DHEC track virus
Kara Apel
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
USC has had a reported 126 positive flu tests during the 2008 spring semester, according to the Thomson Student Health Center's most recent data.
Lexington County has had 200 positive test results for the flu, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Clemson University has also been experiencing similar outbreaks. According to Clemson's most recent data, there have been 425 reported influenza-like illnesses since the beginning of spring semester.
Dede Leylek, the director of administrative services at Clemson's Redfern Health Center, said they didn't have an accurate amount of positive flu tests because the health center ran out.
Brandon Harper, a third-year business student at USC, said he was sick this week and had to miss a class.
"I had flu-like symptoms earlier this week, but I'm feeling better now," Harper said. "I caught it from one of friends. Most of my friends have been sick."
Lauren Vincent, public relations coordinator for the health center, said she thinks this has been the biggest USC outbreak in recent years.
Though many other tests have been administered to students with flu-like symptoms, only 126 were positive.
The test is given by using a nasal swab, and the results are given back within 10 minutes. To take the test, students must pay a $30 lab fee.
Five percent of the positive flu strand test results are sent to DHEC to help the government track the virus.
No matter how many people become sick with the flu, USC does not have any policies about class cancelations, Vincent said.
"If it were some sort of epidemic, it [class cancelation] would be called by the state government," Vincent said.
Clemson does not have a policy on closing down school for the flu either, but a note was sent out to faculty telling them to "expect some increased absentness," Leylek said.
Vincent said some of the students who reported having flu-like symptoms had received a flu shot prior to contracting the illness.
Vincent said staying healthy requires prevention.
"Wash your hands," Vincent said, as her biggest health tip during flu season.
If students are sick, they can purchase Tamiflu, an antiviral flu medication, for $73 at the health center.
Lexington County has had 200 positive test results for the flu, according to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Clemson University has also been experiencing similar outbreaks. According to Clemson's most recent data, there have been 425 reported influenza-like illnesses since the beginning of spring semester.
Dede Leylek, the director of administrative services at Clemson's Redfern Health Center, said they didn't have an accurate amount of positive flu tests because the health center ran out.
Brandon Harper, a third-year business student at USC, said he was sick this week and had to miss a class.
"I had flu-like symptoms earlier this week, but I'm feeling better now," Harper said. "I caught it from one of friends. Most of my friends have been sick."
Lauren Vincent, public relations coordinator for the health center, said she thinks this has been the biggest USC outbreak in recent years.
Though many other tests have been administered to students with flu-like symptoms, only 126 were positive.
The test is given by using a nasal swab, and the results are given back within 10 minutes. To take the test, students must pay a $30 lab fee.
Five percent of the positive flu strand test results are sent to DHEC to help the government track the virus.
No matter how many people become sick with the flu, USC does not have any policies about class cancelations, Vincent said.
"If it were some sort of epidemic, it [class cancelation] would be called by the state government," Vincent said.
Clemson does not have a policy on closing down school for the flu either, but a note was sent out to faculty telling them to "expect some increased absentness," Leylek said.
Vincent said some of the students who reported having flu-like symptoms had received a flu shot prior to contracting the illness.
Vincent said staying healthy requires prevention.
"Wash your hands," Vincent said, as her biggest health tip during flu season.
If students are sick, they can purchase Tamiflu, an antiviral flu medication, for $73 at the health center.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Cough Cough
posted 2/15/08 @ 12:29 PM EST
Why is it so expensive for the "free health center"? The only way to get a diagnosis is to pay a lab fee. The only suggested way to get better is to purchase SEVENTY-THREE DOLLAR MEDICINE????
That's over a hundred dollars. (Continued…)
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