Fearing the flu

The increasing cases of H1N1 influenza virus has not created a panic like situation among the college students and managements here in the City. Still everyone is worried about their state of health.

Ajay S, a student of PES PU College said, “I put Nilgiri oil on mask and cover my nose and mouth. I regularly wash my hands. I avoid shaking hands with people and stay away from people who are ill.”

Akansha Srivastava, a fifth semester Information science student at BMS College of Engineering said: “I haven't gone to malls for many days now. I try to avoid crowded places. While travelling in a bus I use the mask.”

Aatif Belal, a friend of Akansha said, “I eat healthy food and drink lot of water, lime juice and in the night I have one glass of milk with turmeric powder. The healthy food will give you resistance and stamina to fight against the virus.”

Nikhar Jain, a student of Jain College, is a worried person. The college has had two positive cases of H1N1. “I am scared of attending classes now as two of our college mates were tested positive for swine flu. But then also the college has not taken any kind of preventive measures. Placing a soap in the restroom would help a lot of students,” he added.
 
“For the past 15 days I have not gone to college, fearing the flu. Most of my friends come to college with mask but I fear to go,” said Arjun Purohit, second year student of Institute of Business Management and Research.

Despite the fear, none of the students in the colleges visited by Metrolife had a mask on their faces.

Very few college managements have taken the steps regarding informing students about the preventive measures if he or she has symptoms of swine flu.
 
“On our entrance notice board, we have put up a write up about the viral flu," said M V Satyanarayana, director of PES Institutions.

“There is no need to panic now and declare a holiday. We shall wait for few more days and see what else we can do. As of now, we are asking our students not to attend the classes if they have symptoms. We have requested the doctors of K R Hospital to come and talk to the students regarding the flu,” he added.