I think my roommate has swine flu, but he's too broke to go to #UMD health center and get meds. How will the univ deal w/ these cases?

Simply stated the university will ...... OVERREACT! Every year between 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu with "more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and ; 36,000 die from flu related causes." This is the ho-hum every-year old regular flu we're talking about.

Yet nobody in government, media or healthcare seems to be too worried about that. According to the CDC, total hospitalization rates for H1N1 are, "similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates," It is the name and the need of 24 hour news networks to fill time that has made it seem as if the sky is falling. In reality basic precautions such as proper handwashing, along with good nutrition and physical fitness that will help prevent the spread of any type of flu or communicable disease.

Those already experiencing flu-like symptoms should maintan good hygiene and nutrition (extra vitamin C has been shown to boost the immune system) and should limit their exposure by avoiding crowds, hospitals and probably even doctors offices. I personally swear by an herbal supplement called echinacea but you should be very wary of herbal supplements if you are on any other meds as herbals are rarely tested for cross-complications with each other or with prescription drugs. You can also maintain moderate physical excercise and I stress the word moderate.

The last thing you need when you are already sick is to wear down your immune system with intense physical exertion but moderate excercise has been shown to boost immunity. Lastly I would like to remind everyone that a little common sense goes a long way. If your symptoms are severe or worsening you should seek the help of a medical doctor, retroviral drugs have been very effective in all but a few rare cases.

Simply stated the university will ...... OVERREACT! Every year between 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu with "more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and ; 36,000 die from flu related causes." This is the ho-hum every-year old regular flu we're talking about.

Yet nobody in government, media or healthcare seems to be too worried about that. According to the CDC, total hospitalization rates for H1N1 are, "similar to or lower than seasonal influenza hospitalization rates," It is the name and the need of 24 hour news networks to fill time that has made it seem as if the sky is falling. In reality basic precautions such as proper handwashing, along with good nutrition and physical fitness that will help prevent the spread of any type of flu or communicable disease.

Those already experiencing flu-like symptoms should maintan good hygiene and nutrition (extra vitamin C has been shown to boost the immune system) and should limit their exposure by avoiding crowds, hospitals and probably even doctors offices. I personally swear by an herbal supplement called echinacea but you should be very wary of herbal supplements if you are on any other meds as herbals are rarely tested for cross-complications with each other or with prescription drugs. You can also maintain moderate physical excercise and I stress the word moderate.

The last thing you need when you are already sick is to wear down your immune system with intense physical exertion but moderate excercise has been shown to boost immunity. Lastly I would like to remind everyone that a little common sense goes a long way. If your symptoms are severe or worsening you should seek the help of a medical doctor, retroviral drugs have been very effective in all but a few rare cases.