By Noel Day

H1N1 has arrived at Haverford.

Director of Health Services Catherine Sharbaugh reports that after “going a long time without having it” in the past two weeks, students have been testing positive for H1N1, the strain of influenza A known as swine flu.

Director of College Communications Chris Mills reported in his note to the community that Health Services is treating around thirty students for “influenza A,” which may not be H1N1, but is treated as such.

On the Health Services website, a link to H1N1 Flu Resources provides access to regular updates on influenza at Haverford. On Nov. 1, Health Services reported an increase of nine patients in one day, a figure seen as “consistent with expected rates of infection.”

Haverford is not the only site to experience high rates of infection this flu season. According to the Center for Disease Control’s Nov. 6th situation update, national influenza activity remained unusually high during the week of October 23 to October 31. Summarizing reports from across the country, the CDC disclosed that markers of flu activity such as outpatient doctor visits, hospitalization rates and pediatric deaths continued to exceed averages for flu season. 48 of the 50 states reported “widespread” flu activity, and of those patients tested for influenza, 99 percent are testing positive for H1N1.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Thursday that incidents of swine flu may be leveling off in the local area after three weeks of record numbers. In the same article, however, Caroline Johnson, the director of Philadelphia Department of Health’s Division of Disease Control, warns that leveling off does not signal the end of the pandemic.

In other areas where the flu seemed to subside, it began to increase again, against the pattern which seasonal flu tends to follow. And even as patient numbers decline—possibly due to the SEPTA strike—emergency room visits continue at a rate 50 percent above normal.

The rapid rate of infection has incapacitated a significant number of Haverford students and provoked worry in others. Lindsay McCormick ‘10 confessed that she is worried most by the swine flu’s apparent targeting of young populations. The CDC has reported that over 50 percent of people hospitalized for H1N1 are under 25 years old.

Experts have suggested a link between this tendency and young people’s lack of “natural immunity” to swine flu. Older generations are more likely to have been exposed to a 1918 strain of swine flu—the strain from which the current virus evolved—and possess residual immunity that today’s younger generations do not.

To prevent the spread of H1N1 and influenza A on campus, Health Services follows the CDC’s recommendations for the quarantine of infected students. All students who develop flu-like symptoms—including stuffy nose, headache, muscle aches, coughing or fever—should contact Health Services immediately to make an appointment, using e-mail (csharbau@haverford.edu) or phone (610-896-1089) to minimize risk of infection to others.

However, many students have not brought their illness to the attention of Health Services due to misgivings about being quarantined because they are labeled as “sick” or because they can’t muster the energy to trek to Health Services in the first place.

Nevertheless, Dean of Student Life Steve Watter characterizes Health Services as the “entry point to the college’s resources to deal with the flu.” To facilitate quarantine, Dining Services has arranged a “meals on wheels” program to deliver food to sick students. Student may register with this system by contacting Health Services. Students can also contact Jon Francone to volunteer to deliver meals.

With respect to academic absence, Dean Watter assures students that the deans are working closely with faculty to ensure students “are not penalized for something that is out of their control.”

College administration, Health Services, faculty and the dining center—as well as sick students themselves—are working to facilitate the quarantine process. Health Services is hoping that the quarantine will stem the rapid spread of the H1N1 virus.

It can also give students time to rest and recover from a virus which has proven particularly dangerous to young, healthy adults. Most Haverford students have only experienced a two or three-day bug, though.

“You just need to go to your room and stay there,” said Franklyn Cantor, a recovered flu patient.

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