"Bird worries aside, flu an annual campus issue"

As the winter season takes hold at UB, students are gearing up for finals and, as with every first snowfall, getting sick.

Even if flu shots are often in limited supply, UB health officials say there are a number of steps students can take to keep themselves healthy as they write their last-minute papers and pull all-nighters.

The most widespread illnesses that plague UB are respiratory diseases like sinusitis, pharyngitis and bronchitis, according to Frank Carnevale, director of Health Services at Michael Hall.

Worldwide, there has been much attention over the possible outbreak of a human strain of the bird blue, but the common flu is not to be forgotten. Especially this time of year and in a close environment like a university campus, the common flu is rampant, although many students brush off the idea of getting sick until they have a fever.

"My advice to students is to get a flu shot, which is free of cost and is available at Michael Hall," Carnevale said.

Aside from Michael Hall, officials in Residence Halls and Apartments say they routinely take steps to keep their residents healthy.

"We do health and safety inspections once a semester," said Jacques-David Sebban, a sophomore Resident Advisor. "Plus, before every break, we check every room for cleanliness, for electrical appliances, and to make sure every room is safe."

In his experience, Sebban said rooms aren't the worst of it if students are looking to stay healthy.

"Bathrooms, hallways and kitchens are cleaned everyday, and the garbage is picked up every day," he said. "It feels like the dorms are safe and a healthy place to live in, and so the probability of flu originating in the dorms is pretty slim."

According to Carnevale, the most effective ways to stay healthy are some basic rules of hygiene. Washing your hands regularly, covering your mouth when you cough and getting plenty of rest should be enough to ensure a healthy semester, he said.

"When students cough I highly encourage them to use a tissue or your sleeves," he said. "Do not cough into your hand because it will spread the illness more easily to others."

Until there is a health center on North Campus, Michael Hall remains the hub for students who fall ill. Some who don't live on South Campus often complain about the hall's accessibility, but many say they are pleased with the services there.

"The health center at UB is doing a great job keeping us healthy," said Ben Hussang, a sophomore legal studies major. "When I went there to get an infectious cyst drained from my neck, they were very quick and efficient and remained in contact after it was removed."

"As for the residence halls," said one student, junior Pete Kovae, "they are pretty clean given the amount of activity that takes place in the halls and lounges."

Carnevale said he believes the steps UB takes to keep its students healthy are on par with that of other schools.

"I would say that we are in the same boat as the other universities in that we are trying to educate students to make good health care decisions," he said.