Letter from Health Services re: H1N1

The following email was sent to Miami Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents on 8/27/09 by Gail Walenga, Assistant Vice President, student health and wellness. The information it contains is general to the Miami community on all Miami campuses and the VOA Learning Center.

Miami Hamilton-specific information about vaccinations for seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus is forthcoming.

Dear Miami Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents,
 
By now you know that flu can be spread easily from person to person.  While global health officials are predicting high incidence of flu with the return of students to schools and campuses, at Miami we are taking steps to slow the spread.  We need your help to accomplish this.
 
We are working closely across campus[es] and with the Butler County health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. In all decisions, Miami is following guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control http://www.flu.gov.  We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.
 
For now, we are doing everything we can to keep the university operating as usual. 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. Hand sanitizer stations have been distributed at the entrances to residence and dining halls.
• 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 of at least 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. 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.
• Stay home 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). The flu may last up to 7 days.  Don’t go to class or work if you’re ill. Ask a friend to bring meals to your room.  
• 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.  

Miami will provide vaccinations according to health department guidelines, based on availability. We strongly urge those for whom vaccines will be provided, to take them.
 
It is important for [Oxford] students who have temperatures of at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius with a cough and/or sore throat to call the Student Health Service for an appointment (529-3000) to see a clinician.  Students who have flu symptoms but also have chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, or heart problems also should call for an appointment.  [Miami Hamilton students with the above conditions should consult their primary care physician.]

For those who do become ill, the CDC has specific recommendations regarding the use of anti-viral medication. These recommendations also can change, according to the biology of the virus as well as other factors. Miami will dispense anti-viral medication based on these recommendations and the clinician’s assessment.
 
Again, the university will monitor this closely and making pertinent information available as we receive it. We strongly recommend that students and parents monitor the student health service Web site, muohio.edu/health.  A Frequently Asked  Questions document is among information you can click on for details.

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.
• Suspend classes. This decision will be made together with local and state public health officials. The length of time classes should be suspended will depend on the goal of suspending classes as well as the severity and extent of illness.

Students who are studying abroad should follow recommendations from the university at which they are studying and should visit www.cdc.gov/travel for further health information while studying abroad.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
 
We will notify youof any additional changes to Miami’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.
 
Sincerely,
 
Gail Walenga
Assistant Vice President, student health and wellness