Story by Carli Chavez

With the flu season here and the H1N1 virus on the NMSU campus, one can only wonder how the students and staff might be affected by the increase of illnesses.

The hours of the NMSU Student Health Center are listed on its door. (Photo by Carli Chavez)

If students gets the flu, it might keep them from attending school and then their work in school may suffer.  If professors get the flu, they could be forced to continue class through e-mail until they are well.  Since this flu season is different than those in previous seasons, it causes people to think about the preparations students and staff are making for this year.

When the first cases of this new strain of influenza were announced, worry set in. What is someone to do if they are a student or teacher on campus who contracts any of the strains of influenza?

Talking to the Student Health Center

The Student Health Center is located on Stewart St. across from Breland.  This is where insured and uninsured students and staff are able to go if they are sick or need medical assistance.  With the flu season the Student Health Center is always busy.  The Health Center has not received any new vaccines for the flu since their first batch in early October.  It has, however, some set guidelines to follow if a student or staff member is wondering if they should go to class or work. 

Sneezing normally means allergies, and it is fine to attend class.  If someone has the chills, sweats or is coughing to the point of pain, he or she should stay home; otherwise, going to school or work would most likely be fine.  Students and staff are able to go to the clinic for a walk-in visit from 7:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m.  Appointments are available from 1 p.m to 4 p.m.  As the flu season progresses, students and staff will need to be more aware of their surroundings and how to stay healthy.

Talking to students

NMSU student Chris Belarde, 22

“I had the flu for about a week and a half,” said Chris Belarde, 22, a fourth-year student at New Mexico State University.  Belarde did not miss any of his classes and went to school the whole time. 

He said that even though he went to all of his classes,  it was like he was not there because he was so lethargic and “out of it” in class because he had the flu.  When asked what he did to speed up his recovery, responded, “To be honest, I didn’t do anything.”  When most people get the flu, they are too sick to attend classes.  Chris Belarde is lucky that he did not miss any school work, but most students are not this fortunate when they get the flu. 

Some students went to the Student Health Center on campus, and they were told to stay home until they felt better.  They were told they were contagious and going to class or work could infect others.  When this happens the students have no choice but to stay home, unless they are willing to put others at risk of getting their illness.

Talking to teachers

NMSU instructor Danny Montoya

 “I’m not making any special accommodations for the swine flu,” said Danois Montoya, a sports medicine teacher on campus.  Montoya follows a set attendance policy that is given to him by the physical education department, he said.  

It is important for students to know that some teachers have a set attendance policy that they must go by.  If a student does need to miss class for health reasons, having a note from the doctor and letting their teacher know they are missing class ahead of time is always best. 

Most students are allowed a few unexcused absences, but once it becomes more than a few times is when a note from a doctor or reason as to why the student is missing so much class is needed.  Though this flu season has the H1N1 virus, many teachers are keeping their attendance policy the same.