When students lined up in the kitchen Tuesday morning to receive H1N1 flu shots, the scene was a reminder of what Uni went through in late October, when scores were absent due to sickness. Though the rampant absences finally subsided by the beginning of this month, the effects are still being felt as students and faculty alike play catch-up.

Slightly more than 27 percent of all Uni students took advantage of the opportunity to receive an H1N1 vaccination Monday at Uni Gym. Staff members from the McKinley Health Center were on hand to administer the live intranasal version of the H1N1 vaccine, which was the only form available. Students needed signed permission slips from their parents to get the vaccine.

Director Jeff Walkington announced today that the McKinley Health Center will give the H1N1 vaccine at Uni beginning 8:30 a.m. Monday. The vaccinations will most likely take place in Uni Gym. The only form of vaccine available is the live intranasal form. Walkington advised parents to contact their health-care provider if they are not sure their children should receive the vaccine.

The number of Uni High students absent today reached 120, or 38.6 percent of the student body. This compares to Thursday, when 91 were absent. Subbies and freshmen were especially hard hit, with those classes missing 27 and 36 students, respectively. That translated into 43.5 percent of the subbies and 56.1 percent of the freshmen.

"We are not planning to close Uni for health reasons at this time," Director Jeff Walkington said in a message to students and staff today. Some 91 students, or 29.3 percent of the student body, were out sick today, many with flu-like symptoms. Read on for more of Walkington's message.

The subfreshman Halloween celebration was canceled this afternoon, making it the first casualty of the circulating flu bug. Forty-seven students were absent today, more than double Monday's total of 21. The Halloween party had been planned for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.

Uni has long been preparing for the possibility of a swine flu outbreak, but as of yet has not seen anything that can be qualified as such. However, the number of students who call in sick or leave school early due to illness has been rising, and it is possible that Uni is finally getting its share of the flu. Check inside for the numbers.

Even though the news has been filled recently with headlines about an H1N1 vaccine, simple preventive measures such as these are still an effective way to keep swine flu at bay. Read on for more about what Uni High has been doing to contain the threat of H1N1, and find out what makes this illness different from the normal flu.

The Swine Flu outbreak has been fast and furious worldwide. In Texas, spring sports have been canceled until May 11. Alabama is also shutting down high school sporting events temporarily. Schools have closed nationwide. What could the possible pandemic mean for Uni? Read on to find out.

When we come back from Thanksgiving break, only three weeks will remain in the fall semester. But that's plenty of time for people to incur the wrath of cold season: nose blowing, the constant "sniff sniff," hacking coughs, fevers, and all the rest. This year, the mononucleosis virus is causing quite a stir. Brittany Scheid has the rundown, including some tips on staying well from a Carle physician.