H1N1 Flu Information

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

You have probably been following the public health community's concern about the dangers of the H1N1 flu virus, popularly known as "swine flu." Utica College continues to monitor developments related to the spread of flu - both the common seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus. The College's goal is to work with all members of the community to reduce the effects of flu and flu-like illness, while maintaining our academic activities and other functions of the College.

Widespread flu-like illness is expected over the next several months, with H1N1 flu intermingling with seasonal ("regular") flu. Based on current information from health officials, H1N1 specific testing will not be routinely available, so it is unlikely that health professionals will know whether a specific individual with flu-like symptoms is ill with seasonal flu or H1N1. Based on current behavior of H1N1 in the Southern Hemisphere, however, H1N1 is expected to cause only mild to moderate (rather than severe) illness in most persons infected with this virus in the United Stated this fall.

My office and an inter-disciplinary task force of the College's Crisis Management Committee are working closely with the Oneida County Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our activities, employees, and students. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

At this time, the College does not anticipate closure or severe disruption of the academic year due to H1N1, although planning is taking place to diminish the impact of potential interruptions of instruction, work or services due to possible faculty and staff illness.

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Utica College, but we need your help to accomplish this.

Here are a few things you can do to help:
 

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water,especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are
  effective.
   
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
   
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if you feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating or shivering. Symptoms of flu include fever and chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
   
• Stay home or in your residence hall room if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don't go to class or work.
   
• Talk with your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. The Student Health Center will be offering the seasonal flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
   

If this year's flu season becomes more severe, we may take additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus. For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

We will notify the College community by email of any additional changes to our strategy to prevent the spread of flu on campus. Call the Student Health Center at Utica College at 315-792-3094 with any related questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Julie Murawski, R.N., M.S., A.N.P.
Director of the Student Health Center
(315) 792-3094
jmurawski@utica.edu

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