(USA TODAY) - Almost three-quarters (73%) of American colleges and universities are reporting cases of influenza-like illnesses among students, with the highest rates in the Southeast and Midwest, the American College Health Association says.
There were 4,045 new flu-like illness cases between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 among 204 schools taking part in voluntary reporting, the new data show.
Most schools are not testing to confirm the virus is H1N1, or swine flu. But the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says nearly all the flu virus now circulating is H1N1.
So far there has been only one flu-related college death. Troy University freshman Andrew Salter, 18, of Valley, Ala., died on Sept. 4 after fighting first H1N1 and then pneumonia, says university official Herbert Reeves.
So far Washington State University in Pullman has been hardest hit, with about 2,500 cases, says the school's Paula Adams.
Schools that have sorority and fraternity rush preceding classes seem to be experiencing large numbers of cases, perhaps because those social settings allow the virus to be passed around, says James Turner, health association president.
At Mississippi State, with 423 cases, students came back the second week of August, and sorority "rush was the following week. That's when the cases started spiking," says spokeswoman Maridith Geuder.
The University of Mississippi had 368 cases as of Tuesday at noon, says spokeswoman Barbara Lago. "We're hoping it's maybe run its course."
The good news is that the H1N1 flu appears to be fairly mild. While some people may have mild symptoms, others "may feel like a train has hit them" says CDC's Tom Skinner. Typical symptoms include fever, often over 101 or 102, headache, body aches, chills, sore throat and a cough.
The treatment is just to get students to rest in their rooms, drink plenty of fluids and not go out and infect anyone else.
At Grand Valley State University students aren't just getting used to new class schedules they're also getting used to new flu prevention measures.
Bottles of hand sanitizer have been placed in offices and classrooms, they'll be offering both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccines to students, and there are new guidelines for anyone who has flu-like symptoms.
"If you have a temperature of 101 or more go in and get treated and then that information would be reported to the county health department." Andrew Beachnau is the head of Housing and Residence Life for Grand Valley State he says the hope is to keep the virus from infecting too many of its students and faculty but there is a plan in place should there be an epidemic, "If it got to the point we didn't have enough students and staff to conduct the business of the university then we would consider closing parts of our operation."
Grand Valley State University isn't the only school in Michigan preparing for the H1N1virus. With over 4,000 cases across the nation on college campuses right now, other schools are also taking precautions.
At Michigan State University there is a unique situation, administrators are not only trying to prevent their students from getting H1N1 but also their pigs.
"We are taking some extra precautions and I will interview students prior to coming into the farm and we will discuss with them the procedures." Dale Rozeboom is a Swine Specialist at the universities extension office, "I think this year we really will be gracious with students. If a student is not feeling well we'll say stay home. Stay in your dorm room. Seclude yourself. As unattractive as that would be it really would protect others and protect the animals if you're in an animal science class."
As for the number of cases of H1N1 most college campuses say they are not testing to confirm the virus because according to the center for disease control most of the flu that is circulating right now is H1N1.
By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
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