H1N1 will not be as much of a threat on FGCU's campus. Student Health Services has begun to provide vaccinations aganist the virus.
H1N1 vaccinations come in two forms, a nasal spray and an injection. Student Health Services has been distributing both to students, free of charge and will continue to do so every Tuesday as long as supplies are available.
The nasal H1N1 Flu Mist has restrictions on who can receive the treatment. If you are pregnant, have asthma or chronic illness; Student Health Services advises that you get the vaccine.
Lee County Health Department sends the vaccinations to campus, where they are distributed to students.
"We have only received a small supply of the injectables and will give them to students (who cannot receive the nasal spray). As supplies become more ample, we will expand our efforts to others," said Eileen Dondero, director of Student Health Services.
Students who receive the vaccination may experience side effects. "You cannot catch the flu from the vaccine, the side effects are caused by the body's response to the 'foreign' substance and making antibodies against the virus. This is the intended response - making antibodies," Dondero said.
Symptoms include soreness at the injection site, aches and slight fever.
FGCU reported one confirmed case of H1N1 in September. Toward the beginning of the semester Student Health Services was seeing 30 suspected cases a week. According to Dondero, the numbers have subsided to 10 cases a week.
Young adults are among those who are at the greatest risk of becoming infected with H1N1.
Dondero feels that the vaccinations will reduce the number of sick students on campus and advises students to get vaccinated.
Contact information 1. Student Health Services 590-7966 or call after hours to speak with a nurse through the "Nurse Response" service 2. For questions regarding immuzations call 590-1254
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