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August 25, 2009

Swine Flu and College Football

With the CDC's most recent prediction that nearly half the US population could be infected in some fashion with the H1N1 Swine Flu virus, you have to wonder which college football team is going to have their season damaged by an outbreak.

I'm not really talking about player deaths here. I'm talking about a week or two of having a large portion of a team's players slowed by flu like symptoms. Think it's all hyperbole and not likely to impact anyone's season?

On August 15th (no idea how I missed this story until today), the Duke University said nearly half of its 99 football players have been treated for symptoms believed related to the H1N1 virus according to the Charlotte News-Observer.

"Cutcliffe, whose team is scheduled to hold a closed scrimmage today, said multiple players have battled symptoms of the virus, also known as swine flu, since the opening of training camp on Aug. 5. Several players have returned to practice, while others are recovering and will play a limited role in today's full-pad scrimmage."

In Duke's case, they've been dealing with the disease for at least 10 days. The News-Observer article says that healthy college aged athletes should suffer problems for 3-5 days on average, but their lives aren't generally at risk. But that's 3-5 days per player as it moves through a team. Thus, the near two week window if it's not isolated quickly within a team.

And it's not just Duke. Tulane had more than 24 players miss practice time because of the flu. However, only two of the cases were confirmed to be the H1N1 virus. As NOLA.com asked, isn't Tulane due for a positive break of some kind?

This virus could end up being one of the biggest story lines in college football this off season.

In case you're wondering, peak flu season generally runs from November to March.

See Also:
-- 100 cases of suspected Swine Flu on GT's Campus - WSB (Aug. 25th)

PWD

24 comments:

dawgnotdog said...

See, this gives the Gators yet another unfair advantage.

Tebow will simply be able to lay his hands on his teammates and heal them.

FisheriesDawg said...

As a resident of Gainesville, Florida, I'd be happy to contract the virus from someone who is infected and then go hang out at the football offices as much as possible in mid-October.

Unknown said...

I like it. UGA Football: Not Above Biological Warfare.

Anonymous said...

I hear over in Fayetteville they've had swine flu for years now.

IBDawgfan82 said...

I'm taking a shipment of infected National Championship commemorative blankets to the Florida football team and staff about October 14th (two allow for a 2 week incubation period). Anyone want to ride in the semi with me?

Anonymous said...

The end times are upon us gentlemen.

Andy said...

I pity the flu!

Smitty said...

Are we going to have a group on Fun Office Pools like we did last year or have I missed that already?

Unknown said...

Smitty - yes.

Anonymous said...

It is common for kids, no matter the age group/grade, to become ill/sick within the first few weeks of school. When you put hunders of kids with relatively poor hygene (i.e. lack of hand washing, picking noses etc.)together of course they become ill/sick. After touching the pencil sharpener, door knob, desktops the next move is to touch the face or mouth. Now imagine 100football players in constant contact living in heated conditions doing the same. What is going to happen? They spread germs and get sick! The "H1N1 Swine Flu" is merely a governmental hoax! Watch me juggle with my left hand, while I pick your pocket with my right! Pay attention to what our government is attempting to now!
H1N1 Virus! Oh, EVERYONE needs health care NOW! Do not believe everything you read!!!

PTC DAWG said...

It's all a HO AXE

Anonymous said...

Maybe Tommy Bowden could go back to Tulane and right the ship.

Wookie said...

You mean, Hurricane

Anonymous said...

Informative guide to understanding N1H1.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=swine_flu

SC Dawg said...

There's already confirmed cases at UGA. Nothing serious yet, fortunately.

SC Dawg said...

In 1976, I got a swine flu shot. A month later, I came down with the flu, and I was in bed for three days. I don't know if it was the swine flu, not that it really mattered at the time. I was sick.

Anonymous said...

Athletes are usually more likely to get sick as they constantly stress their bodies.

As for his being a hoax, eventually some people may realize that biology and nature is far smarter and better organized than any government.

Ross said...

I saw where Battle Hymn notes were doing a ESPN pick'ems group. Does anyone here want to do the same thing. ESPN lets you have up to three groups I believe.

Anonymous said...

Karma's a bitch huh?

http://www.ajc.com/news/uga-reports-swine-flu-123716.html

TopDawg said...

PWd, can we get more games selected this yr...10 was a little low for my taste. Lets up the stakes and make it more enjoyable and competitive

Anonymous said...

Duke has a football team?

Anonymous said...

D,JD

going too far?

Unknown said...

Yes. Too much.

Unknown said...

In few people severe complications like Influenza pneumonia (primary) may be encountered, which is life threatening. This is caused by the virus and can be dangerous if not treated immediately in a hospital.More Information:
http://www.manipalcureandcare.com/preventive/Flu-Influenza.aspx

 
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