Dear Clarion University Student,
This letter is to inform Clarion University students about the H1N1, Swine Flu and tell you what the university is doing to prepare for it. Presently Clarion County has no confirmed cases of the Swine Flu, but with students returning to school from locations across the country and other countries it is inevitable.
The H1N1 or Swine flu first presented in Mexico in April and it has since spread to all countries. The Swine flu spreads four times faster than other viruses. The signs and symptoms are a fever greater than 100 degrees F, a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough or sore throat. It may also present with body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.
A H1N1 vaccine is presently being tested and the government hopes to have it available by mid to late October. It will be a series of two vaccines. The vaccine will be given according to established protocol with pregnant women first, then health care workers and then ages 6 months to 24 years of age. The university expects to have the vaccine available at no cost to all Clarion University students by late October.
Emails will be sent via campus email when the vaccines are available.
There are ways to limit exposure to this airborne virus. All students are encouraged to:
:: Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially `after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
:: Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or elbow when you cough or sneeze. Do not sneeze or cough into your bare hand.
:: Know the signs and symptoms of the flu, temperature greater than 100 degrees F, sore throat, flushed appearance, chills, cough, nasal congestion, and chills.
:: Stay home if you have flu like symptoms for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Do not go to class or work. Students who miss a week or more of class may be asked to provide a healthcare providers statement to confirm their illness. Students who visit/contact the Keeling Health Center and who have been advised to not attend classes due to flu like symptoms will be provided with an email statement that they may share with their professors to confirm their illness.
:: Consider getting a seasonal flu vaccine, vaccines will be available at the Keeling Health Center beginning the second week of October for $15. Don't confuse the seasonal flu vaccine with the Swine flu vaccine. The seasonal flu is the flu seen every year late fall to winter.
If you believe you have the Swine Flu, do not come to the Keeling Health Center. The Keeling Health Center
has set up a flu hotline from 9am to 4pm M-F to answer your questions concerning Swine flu, it is 393-1614. If you
think you may have the flu, call this number. You will speak with a representative who will ask you questions related
to your health. If you do have influenza symptoms you will be advised to self-isolate in your room until you are fever
free for 24 hours without taking fever reducing medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen), drink plenty of fluids,
and take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce your fever. If you have a chronic health condition, such as asthma,
heart disease or diabetes you will be instructed to see a health care provider.
For further information please visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1.
