These numbers are still relatively low, and they are only expected to increase in the coming weeks, according to Alan Glass, director of Student Health Services.

“It is still anticipated that these numbers will increase in the next days and weeks,” Glass wrote in an e-mail to Student Life.

(Illustration by Zoe Scharf | Student Life)

Tests completed at Student Health Services (SHS) concluded that the students have influenza A. Almost all of the influenza A virus currently circulating is thought to be novel H1N1 influenza, the virus that causes swine flu.

The virus has hit college campuses around the country exceptionally hard. Last week, a junior at Cornell University died from the swine flu, making him the third college student in the nation to die from complications related to swine flu. Cornell has seen 555 swine flu cases this semester, Claudia Wheatly, a Cornell University spokeswoman, confirmed to ABC News.

Emory University has set aside a dorm on its campus for infected students. Emory has had more than 200 suspected swine flu cases since the start of the semester, according to the school’s Web site.

Tests completed at Student Health Services (SHS) concluded that the students have influenza A. Almost all of the influenza A virus currently circulating is thought to be novel H1N1 influenza, the virus that causes swine flu.

The University announced the campus’s first suspected case of swine flu late Tuesday evening. Two cases were announced on Wednesday, and the fourth on Thursday. All of the sick students are expected to make full recoveries.

“I suspect that we will see more in the next days and weeks,” Alan Glass, director of Student Health Services, wrote in an e-mail to Student Life.

He wrote that these cases are not unexpected because “this virus has been affecting college and university students nationally with some frequency.”

In late June, the CDC released a statement estimating that there had been at least 1 million cases of swine flu in the United States, most of them undiagnosed or unreported.

The affected students are currently in self-isolation in accordance with University flu protocol, which is based on recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least two of the students live in on-campus housing.

As a preparatory measure, the University appointed an Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force last spring when the swine flu epidemic first hit. Glass heads this taskforce.

The University is asking affected students to remain in their living spaces until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Thursday marked the second day that the University offered seasonal influenza vaccinations. Seventy students were immunized on Wednesday and another 90 on Thursday.

“It is extremely important for students to have flu shots this year,” Glass wrote.

The University asks all students and faculty to not attend classes or work if they are feeling ill. Subsequently, professors and lecturers were asked not to penalize students if they miss class for health reasons.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to those of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and headache. Some people with novel H1N1 flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhea. The University encourages those who experience these symptoms to contact Student Health Services at 314-935-6666.

Tests completed at Student Health Services (SHS) concluded that the students have  influenza A. Almost all of the influenza A virus currently circulating is thought to be novel H1N1 influenza, the virus responsible for swine flu.

This brings the University’s total cases of presumed swine flu up to three.

A Washington University undergraduate who displayed flu-like symptoms was thought to have the campus’s first case of swine flu late Tuesday evening.

According to Alan Glass, assistant vice chancellor and director for the Habif Health and Wellness Center, this first isolated instance was likely just the first in an upcoming wave of cases.

“I suspect that we will see more in the next days and weeks,” Glass wrote in an e-mail to Student Life.

He wrote that these cases are not unexpected since ‘this virus has been affecting college and university students nationally with some frequency.’

All three student are reportedly  “moderately ill but doing fine”

The students are in self-isolation following University flu protocol, which is based on recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

As of Wednesday, Glass wrote that the first diagnosed student “remains ill but was doing better today.”

As a preparatory measure, the University appointed an Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force last spring when the swine flu epidemic first hit. The task force is headed by Glass.

Students who are diagnosed with the flu are asked to isolate themselves. The University requests that affected students remain in their living spaces until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Although this is the University’s first suspected swine flu case, in late June, the CDC released a statement saying that there might have been at least 1 million cases of swine flu within the United States, most of them undiagnosed or unreported.

The symptoms of swine flu include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches and headache. Some people with novel H1N1 flu have also reported vomiting and diarrhea. The University encourages those who experience these symptoms to contact Student Health Services at 314-935-6666.

The University sent an e-mail in August to all students addressing the possibility of an imminent outbreak. The message, titled “Preparation for H1N1 Flu,” described, in detail, the steps students can take to protect themselves and their friends from contracting the virus.

The e-mail also listed actions that students must take should they begin to develop symptoms akin to those associated with the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as swine flu.

As a preparatory measure, the University appointed an Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force last spring when the swine flu epidemic first hit. The task force is headed by Alan Glass, assistant vice chancellor and director for the Habif Health and Wellness Center.

“The Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force has been meeting regularly since last spring to develop a comprehensive response plan to the emergence of the H1N1 virus,” Glass wrote in an e-mail to Student Life.

“This plan includes communication strategies, plans for the care of ill students, procurement of supplies, vaccine distribution and isolation of students to help prevent spread of the virus.”

This fall, students will see newly installed hand sanitizers in most buildings on campus and near major dining areas and restrooms—a component of the University’s response.

“Hand hygiene remains one of the most important ways to protect yourself from being exposed to influenza,” Glass wrote.

“The hand sanitizers are really convenient. I see them everywhere, and I can use them wherever I go on campus,” sophomore Helen Clawitter said. “I am beginning to form a habit of using hand sanitizers, and I think it is a really important and good measure for the school to take during flu seasons.”

As with previous flu seasons, flu vaccines will be offered at the student health center.

“There will be two types of flu vaccination this year,” Glass wrote. “Seasonal influenza vaccine will be available beginning next week to students. H1N1 vaccine will likely be available later in the fall and plans are being made for a large scale vaccination clinic once this vaccine becomes available.”

The seasonal flu vaccine, however, will not protect students against the H1N1 flu, since the H1N1 virus differs a lot from seasonal flu viruses.

According to Glass, there will be a large University-wide informational campaign focused on how to protect oneself from influenza and what to do in the event of contracting the virus.

Swine flu has been the subject of extensive national news coverage this past spring and summer, when initial cases were reported out of Mexico.

Soon after, the United States became one of the hardest hit nations. By mid-June, the total number of cases reported in the United States had surpassed the number of cases reported in Mexico.

In late June, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a statement saying that there might have been at least 1 million cases within the United States, most of them undiagnosed or unreported.

Despite the recent, relative calmness surrounding swine flu, the CDC has maintained a level of concern and alertness in anticipation of another outbreak in the fall and winter flu seasons—with possibly more severe cases this time.

According to health-care officials, people between 6 months and 24 years old are most susceptible to contracting swine flu, drawing concerns from school officials as students returned to campus this fall.

For updated information on swine flu, students can visit http://emergency.wustl.edu and http://shs.wustl.edu.