The H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, is not expected to be a problem this year, according to Julie Hupperich, associate director of finance and administrative services at the Louisiana State U. Student Health Center.
Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February, according to the Center for Disease Control’s website.
During the week of Aug. 31, 2009 to Sept. 7, 2009, the LSU Health Center diagnosed 259 influenza cases, according to documents obtained by The Daily Reveille.
When influenza cases appeared outside of regular flu season, they were treated as if they were H1N1 cases, Hupperich said.
The number of influenza cases at the University does not correlate with the expected peak of the influenza virus in the U.S. The University had 29 diagnosed flu cases from Jan. 18, 2010 to Feb. 7, 2010, which is typically the peak of flu season, according to the CDC website.
“The U.S. Public Health Emergency for 2009 H1N1 Influenza expired on June 23, 2010,” according to the CDC website.
Overall, the University had a declining number of cases from August 2009 until February 2010, according to Student Health Center data.
The data trends seen at the University were reflected by the data of other nations around the world.
“The first wave of the swine flu pandemic saw a peak in mid-to late July with estimates of over 100,000 new cases a week in England by the end of July,” according to the United Kingdom’s Department of Health website.
The H1N1 virus tended to be mild on a worldwide scale, but it did cause severe illness and death in certain cases, the U.K. DOH said.
Even though swine flu appears to be a thing of the past, flu season is approaching quickly and necessary precautions must be taken. Getting vaccinated against the flu is one of the best ways to help prevent it.
“The U.S. 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will protect against an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus,” according to the CDC website.
Avoiding close contact with others, staying home from school or work when sick, washing hands regularly and covering coughs are ways to help prevent the spread of flu, according to the CDC.
Some CDC research also shows a higher number of influenza infections in smokers compared to nonsmokers.
Flu vaccines for the 2010-11 flu season will be available for $10 at the LSU Student Health Center in October.