Health center works to contain H1N1

The Thompson Student Health Center is taking the initiative on preventing outbreaks of the H1N1 flu on campus with numerous clinics and vaccinations, which are free to students, faculty and staff members.

“We have vaccinated nearly 1,800 people so far,” said Nicole Carrico, the public relations and quality assurance coordinator for Student Health Services. “Most of the people are students, but we have had a fair share of faculty and staff members.“

Since USC’s first H1N1 case was identified June 6, 344 cases of the H1N1 flu have been confirmed by the Health Center. According to DHEC’s Web site, South Carolina has seen 456 hospitalizations for flu-related illness and 16 deaths associated with the flu since Sept. 1. And in the week of Oct. 11-17, health care providers around the state  reported 3,350 positive rapid flu tests, 82 hospitalizations from flu-related illnesses and five deaths from flu-related illnesses.

There are two types of vaccines available: the inactivated, which is the injection, and the live attenuated, which is the nasal spray. Carrico said she took the nasal vaccine, and she feels great.

“I have not had one single problem, and I was still able to learn and adjust for my job,” she said.

Both vaccinations have potential side effects that can be problematic. The inactivated vaccine can lead to soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was given, as well as headache or fever. The live, attenuated vaccine can cause nasal congestion, headache or abdominal pain.

Carrico says that no one has claimed to have suffered from any categorically mild symptoms.

“Generally you don’t have to really worry about the mild problems,” she said. “If you get a high fever or have allergic reactions to it, which will come minutes to hours immediately after the vaccine, then you should call the student health clinic.”

Carrico said students should take advantage of the school’s on-campus health resources.
“As with all illness, if a student feels sick or thinks they may have the flu, they should call the Thomson Student Health Center at 777-3175 to make an appointment or just come in,” Carrico said.

Carrico said as long as DHEC continues to send vaccines to the University, they will have clinics available to everyone at USC.

“The H1N1 vaccine is by far the number one way that we’ll be able to contain and control it,” Carrico said. “The most important thing is that people get the vaccine.”