Flu Outbreak Blamed On Beer Pong

Health officials at New York's Rensselaer Polytech blame drinking games like "beer pong" for an outbreak of flu at the campus.

The school reports 14 cases of influenza on the Troy campus.

Seven students are in isolation rooms and seven are recuperating at home with their families. In addition, there have been reports of several faculty and staff with influenza-like illness.

Doctors linked several of the cases to specific social events on campus, such as football games and weekend parties.

Some of the cases were apparently contracted during a weekend drinking game.

The school says it is out of seasonal flu vaccines but more are expected soon, but likely not until the H1N1 vaccines are distributed.

H1N1 is the main flu spreading in the area of the school.

Your best protections against the flu include:

Washing your hands often, especially after shaking hands with others (hand disinfectants may be used if there is no access to soap and water);
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing;
Covering your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow if you do not have a tissue;
Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially after contact with others; and
Keeping a three-foot [one-meter] distance between yourself and anyone who is ill.