More prevention for H1N1 called for on campus

    The Ministry for Health, Welfare, and Family Affairs issued an official warning about the danger of infection from H1N1 Influenza A on July 21. The total number of infections in Korea exceeded 5,000 on September 4, and four patients have died of the disease. Ewha is also taking steps to prevent the spread of the virus. 
    The Office of Global Affairs cancelled an orientation for exchange students, which was scheduled on August 31, and the Office of the Chaplain announced that chapel will be delayed until September 14 in order to prevent possible infections. The University Health Service Center (UHSC) simultaneously organized a damage control team to inform students about precautions against the disease.
    According to the UHSC, as of September 1, over 30 Ewha students visited the UHSC to get advice on their symptoms. Although the center has not received any news of infections among Ewha students yet, it is preparing for the possibility by trying to make students aware of the flu by sending text-messages to students and attaching explanatory leaflets to the walls of toilet stalls around campus.
    Since many students went abroad to pandemic areas on their holidays, the UHSC has raised a special concern over possible infections in September. Also, the changing seasons make infection on campus more likely, as the virus spreads more easily in cool weather.
    “Walking around campus, I see most students do not wearing masks even though some may have been abroad during the vacation. But many students including me might feel far from the pandemic. Washing hands a couple of times more is the best thing I do to prevent the flu,” said Shin Yun-young (English Education, 2)
    The Symptoms of H1N1 are not so different from those of an ordinary seasonal flu, mainly involving respiratory problems. Infections come with a low fever of 37.8 degrees Celsius, a cough, and a runny nose. For some people, impotent feelings, lack of appetite, diarrhea, and nausea can also appear all of which are normal symptoms of flu. 
    Normally, people can simply recover from the virus by taking medicine and rest, however, some are more vulnerable to the flu: expectant mothers, infants below six years old and chronic patients with diabetes, lung and cardiovascular diseases, kidney troubles or malignant tumors. 
    However, Professor Lee Jin-hwa (Medicine) says that people with flu-like symptoms should consider infection and pay a visit to clinics. Two of the four Korean victims died because of complications with pneumonia, and one died because she was not given proper medication soon enough. 
    In order to prevent infection, doctors suggest people washing their hands with running water and a soap after going outside. When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth with tissue than with your bare hands. Also, keep hands away from eyes, nose, and mouth, as these are areas where the virus can enter.  
    “Although students cannot avoid studying in a classroom with many students, they should always maintain sanitary conditions. Because of the bad situation right now, it is also undesirable for even healthy people to go to crowded places like theaters to minimize the spread of H1N1,” said Lee