Previous Updates: August 27, 2009
To the SCSU Community,
We write to update you on the University’s plans regarding the H1N1 flu virus. Student Health Services has already identified cases of flu on campus, this week. 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 St. Cloud State University, and, we need your help to accomplish this.
Fortunately, the vast majority of cases of H1N1 are mild and, at this point, the virus appears no more virulent or severe than most seasonal flu. This strain does seem to be more frequent in children and young adults. The majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor's treatment. Faculty, staff, and students who are ill with flu should remain at home (or in their room) until they have been fever-free for 24 hours (and without medication that would lower temperature). If possible, residential students with flu-like illness should return home and avoid public transportation.
For now, we are planning actions to keep our institution operating as usual. The following are recommendations that everyone must follow to help our campus prevent the spread of H1N1 virus:
- 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 (defined as fever plus either a cough or sore throat). 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 the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever 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. We encourage faculty/staff to discuss absences with their supervisors and students to communicate with their professors if they are staying home with flu symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states “do not require a doctor’s note to confirm illness” – Student Health Services will not provide notes to confirm illness in students.
- Student/Faculty/Staff who become ill should promptly seek medical attention if they have a medical condition that places them at increased risk of influenza-related complications, are concerned about their illness, or develop severe symptoms. If you are pregnant or if you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart or lung problems, or a weakened immune system, you should consult with your physician or campus health services to determine if medication or further evaluation is indicated. Severe symptoms include increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, rapid respirations, cyanosis (bluish skin color), vomiting, dizziness, or confusion.
- Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 flu. The employee flu clinic is scheduled for September 24 in Voyaguer North, Atwood Center. Student flu clinics are scheduled for September 14th and 17th in the Granite Room of Atwood. Students may also make an appointment to receive flu vaccine at Student Health Services by calling 308-3193. 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 (expected before the end of the year). 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 the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home. These students, faculty, and staff should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider.
- Find ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in classrooms such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes, and using distance learning methods.
- Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay home or in their residence. During severe flu conditions sick people should stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. Those who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
- Cancel classes and/or events. This decision will be made together with local and state public health officials. The length of time classes should be cancelled will depend on the goal of cancelling classes as well as the severity and extent of illness.
For campus H1N1 flu information and updates, visit SCSU’s web site at www.stcloudstate.edu/emergency.
For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636). We will notify you by email, and post on our SCSU web site www.stcloudstate.edu/emergency, any additional changes to our institution’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.
Sincerely,
Brent A. Nielsen, M.D.
Medical Director
St. Cloud State University Student Health Services
