H1N1 Influenza
Purdue University is carefully monitoring news concerning the H1N1 influenza virus. Unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 is a novel virus, and we have little or no immunity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predict as many as 40 percent of us could become ill with this new virus over the next two years. And while H1N1 has not been an especially lethal virus so far, the CDC says it has the potential to become so. It's also thought that the college-age population will be more at risk than those 25 or older.
This Web site offers information about vaccinations and resources to help if you or someone you know becomes ill. The most important steps are to practice good hygiene and to stay home and isolate yourself if you are ill for at least 24 hours after your temperature returns to normal without the aid of medicine.
Purdue receives 400 doses of H1N1 vaccine (Nov. 13, 2009)
The Purdue Student Health Center has received 400 doses of H1N1 vaccine through the Tippecanoe County Health Department.
The Health Center also reported that the supply of seasonal flu vaccine has been exhausted and that no additional supplies are expected to be available this year.
Weekly tally of students with flulike illness at 239 (Nov. 16, 2009)
The number of students with flulike illnesses seen at the Purdue Student Health Center reached 239 for the week of Sunday (Nov. 8) through Saturday (Nov. 14), down slightly from the previous week.
Since Aug. 30, 1,249 have reported being ill, about 3 percent of the total student body on the West Lafayette campus.
H1N1 vaccination covered 100 percent by all Purdue medical plans (Oct. 22, 2009)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Anyone covered by a Purdue medical plan can get the H1N1 vaccine at no cost once the vaccine becomes available.
In Tippecanoe County, the county health department is distributing vaccine to the University, public health clinics, doctors' offices and retail pharmacies as it becomes available.
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