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Emergency Preparedness:
H1N1 Flu Update |
To the Carlow Community:
We write to update you on the university’s interventions regarding the H1N1 flu virus (also known as swine flu). As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person, and there have been some recent confirmed cases on a local campus here in Pittsburgh. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu, both seasonal and the H1N1 virus, here at Carlow University for as long as possible. We need your help to accomplish this.
We are working closely with the Allegheny County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We are following the CDC recommendations for institutions of higher education and we will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us. For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:
Prevention Tips
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. Carlow has purchased a large supply of hand sanitizer that is readily available for use throughout the campus.
- 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. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and 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. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches headaches, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting.
- Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. 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. We will post information about the availability of the vaccine and all the details related to it as soon as we get notice from the health department.
Letter continues below
What to do if you feel sick...
CALL HEALTH SERVICES (412-578-6174 or 412-973-9249) BEFORE COMING TO BE EVALUATED.
In order to avoid added contact and possible spread of illness to others in hallways and elevators, a phone triage assessment by the nurse is recommended and will provide you with the information and direction you need.
Commuter Students, Staff and Faculty—STAY HOME AND SELF ISOLATE 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). During the period of self isolation, sick people should limit close contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask when they are around other people. Surgical masks have been purchased and are available at Health Services. Please don’t go to class or work! Students should contact their academic advisor, staff should contact their supervisor, and faculty should contact their Dean to notify them of the situation.
Residential students with flu-like illness (fever accompanied by a sore throat or any other respiratory symptoms) should leave the residence hall and go home to self isolate and recuperate. They should return home in a way that limits contacts with others as much as possible. For example, travel by private car or taxi would be preferable over use of public transportation. Do not return to campus until you have been without a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours. This should be determined without the use of fever reducing medicines. During the period of self isolation, sick people should limit close contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask when they are around other people. The R.A.s have been provided with a supply of surgical masks and disposable thermometers to dispense to students as needed. If distance is prohibitive for you to return home when you are sick, arrangements will be made to isolate you on campus, and someone will check with you daily for support and care and to provide you with meals. Notify your academic advisor of your situation.
People at risk for complications should talk to their health care provider if they have come in contact with someone with flu-like symptoms or if they start to develop symptoms themselves to determine if they need antiviral treatment. Groups that are at higher risk for complications include children younger that 5 years of age, people older than 65 years of age, pregnant women, and people of any age with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, liver, heart, or kidney disease, and anyone whose immune system is compromised by chemotherapy or conditions such as aids.
Seek prompt medical attention if you develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, fast breathing, bluish skin color, vomiting, dizziness or confusion.
Supportive care while you are sick includes rest, fluids, anti fever medications such as ibuprofin (such as Motrin, Advil) or acetaminophen (such as Tylenol). Remember, you must be fever free for 24 hours without the use of these meds before you are considered safe to return back to campus, classes and offices. The majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor’s treatment and will recuperate with no complications.
For more information about flu in our community and what our institution is doing, visit www.carlow.edu and click button labeled “Emergency Preparedness: Swine Flu Update”.
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 of any additional changes to our institution’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.
Sincerely,
Heather Wilson
Vice President of Student Affairs
Mary Frances Reidell
Director of Health Services |
