Cases of influenza-like illnesses have skyrocketed to more than 500 since school has started, and increasing numbers of students are missing class. University officials advised professors to work with students who have been diagnosed and give them time to make up assignments and get back on track.
A person diagnosed with H1N1 virus is considered contagious one day before symptoms start and seven days after they develop. Student Health Services is asking that students stay isolated until 24 hours after fever symptoms are gone without the use of fever-reducing drugs. Students who are diagnosed are also told that they may be too ill to study or work productively while they have the virus.
According to Enrollment Management and Services Vice Provost Louis Hunt, the University is circulating the idea of a change in the attendance policy because of the influx of H1N1 diagnoses.
“The policy was that H1N1 cases needed to be documented by a doctor’s note to be excused,” Hunt said. “In light of recent circumstances, however, we are considering changing that policy because some cases of H1N1 may be mild enough that a student does not need to see a doctor.”
“If a student only needs 24 hours of rest and medicine to get better, they may not need medical attention but would still want their absence to be excused,” Hunt said. “Most professors would not have a problem with a change in policy as long as they did not feel that the system was being abused.”
Student Health Services is already overflowing with H1N1 cases, and some students are having a hard time even getting to see a doctor. Sophia Yang, a freshman in biochemistry, could not see a doctor this week.
“I started feeling sick with flu-like symptoms on Monday,” Yang said. “But when I called Health Services they were booked with appointments until Friday.”
Student Health Services Medical Director Dr. Mary Bengtson said not all cases of H1N1 need to be treated by a doctor.
“If a student is displaying mild symptoms, they may be able to self-treat by following our guidelines for treating the virus,” Bengtson said. “There is an overwhelming need for medical care right now and our resources are limited, so we don’t want to have to see every student just because they need a doctor’s note for classes.”
Jennifer Bell, a mathematics graduate student and calculus teacher, said she was very willing to help students who had been diagnosed in her classes.
“I’m telling all my classes that if any of them are sick, they should stay home. As long as they e-mail me and let me know, I will extend deadlines for them until they are better,” Bell said.
The rise in cases indicates that the virus has become much more widespread recently, but the confidentiality of those diagnosed is still being considered.
“At first we were telling teachers that they could notify students if someone in their class had been diagnosed, although they couldn’t give any more information,” Hunt said. “The rise in cases has made it unnecessary to do this. Teachers can still give their students advice to prevent H1N1, but they have a good chance of coming into contact with the virus anywhere, not just in class.”
