Sunday November 8, 2009

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Clark University 2009-2010 Flu Preparations

Currently, there is no vaccine for the H1N1 flu virus. Clark is planning to arrange vaccine clinics for H1N1 as soon as vaccine becomes available.

In preparation for the arrival of the H1N1 virus (sometimes referred to as swine flu) on campus this fall, Clark University’s Health Services is working with a variety of agencies to comply with all recommendations for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

Clark’s response plan has been planned in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

Packing to come to campus
Symptoms
Prevention

Diagnosis and Treatment
Important Links
Important Phone Numbers

Packing to come to campus

As you pack and prepare for your arrival to Clark University to move in and/or start classes, you may want to add the following important self-care items to your packing list. It’s good to have these items on hand before you get any type of illness:

Thermometer
Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol
Hand sanitizer to keep in your room
Tissues

If you currently do not feel well or start to feel ill with flu-like symptoms before coming to Clark, please contact Health Services at (508) 793-7467. If you are potentially sick with a flu-like virus, it may be best to stay at home until you are feeling better. The CDC recommends that infected people avoid traveling as much as possible.

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Symptoms

The CDC defines H1N1 flu as a respiratory disease caused by “type A” influenza viruses that are contagious and spread from person to person.

The common symptoms of the H1N1 virus or other influenza-like illnesses are a fever of more than 100 degrees coupled with a cough or sore throat.

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Prevention

The flu is not an illness to take lightly, and there is a chance that this year’s flu season will last longer and be more pronounced.

Good personal hygiene is the single most important way to slow the spread of all flu viruses.

The CDC recommends the following important preventative behaviors:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners* are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Students should plan to take part in the seasonal flu vaccine clinic at Clark University. See details in gray box, above.

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Diagnosis and Treatment

In accordance with CDC guidelines, Clark University is recommending that students who are experiencing Influenza like illness (fever of more than 100 degrees coupled with a cough or sore throat) stay home and limit interactions with other people (called “self-isolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. Additionally, students should contact Clark University Student Health Services by phone at (508) 793-7467 at the onset of symptoms. Students are asked to call rather than visit the Health Service as a preventative measure for uninfected individuals.

Students with flu-like illness who have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from flu should communicate directly with their healthcare provider as soon as possible.

Students who develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, rapid breathing, sudden dizziness, confusion, or severe or persistent vomiting should seek prompt medical treatment.

Afflicted students who wish to go home for isolation must arrange for private transportation. No one with symptoms should ride on public transportation where there is a likelihood of further spreading the disease.

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