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January 22, 2004
Volume LV, Number 16
Serving UNC Wilmington
Flu threatens UNCW campus Lost items given away
Alisha Gore
Staff Writer
The influenza virus affects
millions around the world each
year. During this recent flu sea
son, there have been elevated con
cerns about the health risks the flu
virus may pose to Americans in
particular.
Fears of dangerous strains of
the flu virus initiating a deadly
epidemic have led to many people
taking measiues to protect them
selves from the virus.
“Taken together with the fact
that influenza virus is readily
accessible and may be causing
more deaths than previously sus
pected, the possibility for genetic
engineering and aerosol transmis
sion suggests an enormous poten
tial for bioterrorism,” scientists at
the University of Texas said.
Getting a flu vaccination is one
of the most popular methods that
Americans implement to avoid
the possible consequences of con
tracting the flu.
“It is our hope that because
strains were included in the vac
cine that was developed, there
will be some protection against
that strain,” said Rhonda Smith, a
spokesperson for the Center for
Disease Control on their Web site.
Smith was referring to the
Fujian strain of influenza, a strain
that researchers say can potential
ly cause devastating outbreaks in
the United States and Europe. The
strain gets its name from the
Fujian province in China where it
originated.
The CDC recommends that the
elderly, young children and
women in the late stages of preg
nancy should receive a flu vacci
nation. The aforementioned
groups are at greater risk of suf
fering serious complications as a
result of having the flu.
However, the CDC recom-
also decrease the chance of con
tracting the flu. Decreasing or
eliminating the consumption of
antibiotic fed meat, refined sugar
and bleached flour can help pro
mote a healthier immune system.
Increasing intake of foods high in
vitamins and minerals, particu-
Since a virus causes the flu, taking
antibiotics will not make it go away.
i^uuriesy of nasa.gov
mends that people who may have
allergic reactions to hens’ eggs or
those who have developed
Guillian-Barre syndrome (GBS)
after getting flu vaccinations not
get vaccinated.
Health officials also recom
mend implementing “common
sense” methods to prevent con
tracting the flu. Avoiding contact
with those who have the flu virus
and washing hands frequently can
help prevent contracting the flu.
Since a virus causes the flu, tak
ing antibiotics will not make it go
away.
Altering dietary habits can
Visit Us
www.theseahawk.org
OP/ED
4
larly vitamin C, can also have
beneficial effects on decreasing a
person’s chance of getting the flu.
“We have seen students with
the flu- I can’t tell you how
many,” said Charlene Pence, a
nurse with the Student Health
Center. “We started seeing people
for the flu in November, but most
providers have not seen the flu
since (we got back from break).”
The public health departiflent
has a free injectable flu vaccine
as well as the flu mist vaccine for
$40.
For more information call
343-6508.
Inside This Issue
Ashley Parker
Sarah Broders
Staff Writer & News Editor
UNCW’s lost and found is
implementing new policies to see
that unclaimed items go to good
use instead of to waste.
Currently, there is a period of
30 days during which lost items
may be claimed. If they are not,
they will be given to programs
that can use them.
“I think it’s a great idea. I’d
rather see the stuff go to a worthy
cause instead of just sit there,”
said recent UNCW graduate,
Amy Kline.
Starting this semester, UNCW
is hoping to give unclaimed cell
phones to a local domestic vio
lence shelter where they will be
distributed to high-risk mothers.
The phones will not be equipped
with service, but they will enable
the mothers to call 911 in case of
an emergency.
“The groups that we’re work
ing with are very pleased that we
as a university are taking an inter
est in what they’re doing,” said
reservations coordinator Tina
Strickland. “If we can help them
in some way, that’s what we’re
trying to do.”
Lost calculators, particularly
graphing calculators, will be
given to Roland-Grise Middle
School, to be distributed to chil
dren who are unable to afford
them.
In conjunction with the Lions
Club, unclaimed prescription eye-
‘ glasses are gathered and sent to
developing countries where peo
ple cannot otherwise afford them.
There is also a collection box in
Heather Curtls/the S«ahawk
Unclaimed lost and
found items are donat
ed to local charities
such as Good Will
Industries.
the University Union to donate old
prescription glasses.
Clothing and jewelry will be
given to the local Good Will
Industries.
The lost and found is located at
the University Union information
desk. The hours are Monday-
Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday,
7am-lam; Saturday, 10 a.m.-l
a.m.; and Sunday, Ipm-midnight.
Flyers will be available at the desk
for more information on these pro
grams.
UNCW Life
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Classifieds
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Sports
9
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