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Posted by: diana_arhin on 11/16/2009 01:12 PM
Updated by: diana_arhin on 11/17/2009 09:03 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM

North Bay tests positive

Since the much-talked-about influenza outbreak, the North Bay Parry Sound Health Unit has set up clinics to which thousands of North Bay residents went for shots to prevent getting infected.

By Diana Arhin
theclaw.ca

Canadore College's Health Centre held its first H1N1 vaccine clinic with patients waiting and staff wearing masks and gloves. The atmosphere was gloomy and looked like a scene from the show ER. The number of people who were treated that day was unknown because the staff were too busy to take a moment to comment.

So far there have been three students at the college confirmed as having H1N1; they had been quarantined until further notice. Local doctors released a statement to the public to stay at home and only visit the hospital's emergency department in severe cases when the patient exhibits symptoms like nausea or difficulty breathing.

The memorial gardens held A vaccine clinic at North Bay's Memorial Gardens attracted thousands of people, including 1,340 in a span of three hours. But not everyone got the message about the seriousness of the latest pandemic.

“I am fine; I am not worried about H1N1,” said Aly Clark, a first- year Early Childhood Education student at Canadore. “I think this whole situation was overdramatized, and didn’t get the vaccine because one day you’re hearing different things about it, I know someone who had it got over it in a week so I am not scared.”

During the first week of the outbreak, doctors were already overwhelmed with patients to the point students weren't even asked for doctor's notes for missed classes.

MISSED CLASSES

The college also kept track of absentees. The highest number of absentees was in the last week of October; those numbers declined in the first week of November.

Hand sanitizer dispensers were bolted on the wall in hallways and entrances.

“The sanitizers around the school are definitely helpful,” said Haley Sterling, also a first-year ECE student. “My roommate and I sanitize a lot more, the doorknobs, etc., and I am not interested in getting the vaccine either.”

The elderly, children, pregnant women, diabetics and other people with weak immune systems are at a greater risk. Some of the symptoms of the virus are vomiting, weakness or lack of energy, nausea and runny nose.

“Never before have I been so sick,” said Rachelle Raymond, a fourth-year Psychology student. “Feverish, nauseous, pain, weak, and basically unable to function; my father brought me to the hospital. Due to the elevated risks of being a diabetic, I was admitted within five minutes; where I experienced the additional symptoms of coughing, congestion, runny nose, and extreme fatigue among others.

“Treatment received in the hospital consisted of a medication called Tami flu, pain medication and close monitoring of all vital signs. With being quarantined, medical staff entered my room fully equipped in gowns, masks and face shields. I suppose the scariest part of this experience was the feeling of truly being diseased which was caused by the precautions taken by all nurses and doctors,” Raymond added.