Isolated No More, Yale Changes Swine Flu Policy

When Yale students start sneezing and feeling the signs of swine flu coming on, they will no longer be sent off into isolation.

Fear of contracting the H1N1 virus seems to be subsiding nationwide, so people are returning to their typical lifestyles.

The number of swine flu cases has declined since December, according to the Connecticut Department of Health. The number of flu-related emergency room visits statewide has dropped from 15 percent to 5 percent.
 
Students with flu-like symptoms are no longer being isolated, school officials told the Yale Daily News on Monday
 
The Yale policy in previous months enforced isolation when students had flu-like symptoms, but the school recently changed its policy because of the recovery rate and the availability of immunization shots.
 
That does not mean that the illness is gone or that people should stop taking precautions.
 
“People exhibiting flu-like symptoms should remain indoors and take in plenty of liquids for a faster recovery,” Judith Krauss said in an e-mail to the Daily News.
 
The CDC recommends that anyone experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, sudden dizziness and severe vomiting should seek immediate medical attention.

The state Flu Watch site tracks cases statewide. Between Aug. 30, 2009 and Jan. 19, there have been 3,346 confirmed cases. Since Jan. 19, there have been an additional 174 cases.  

 
“Though there is now a large supply of swine flu vaccine available at YUHS, there is no more seasonal flu vaccine left,” Genecin told the Daily News.
 
The H1N1 vaccine is now available to anyone who wishes to receive it.
 

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