Upcoming Events/Announcements

August 2009 H1N1 UPDATE

A Message to Students and Parents from the Director of Health Services:

The current wave of novel H1N1 flu virus infection (formerly known as swine flu) is not as severe as previously expected or anticipated in prior community public health planning. However, future waves of the virus or new viruses may be more severe than what is being seen today. Our best protection against contracting and spreading illness is to be educated and informed about how the virus spreads and to take everyday measures for prevention.

Beginning this past spring, key members of the University’s Emergency Planning Team have been meeting on a regular basis to plan and prepare for the possibility of seeing H1N1 flu on this campus.

We are asking all students to take everyday actions to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
  
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective.
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
  
• Stay home from school or work if you get sick. Limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  
  
• Eat right, exercise, and get appropriate rest and sleep. Neglecting any of these will have a negative impact on your immune system.

Based on recommendations from our local public health authorities, students with flu-like illness should return home whenever possible. Alternate plans are in place for students who are unable to return home (e.g. no family within driving distance). We have attached a copy of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidance document: Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home and are asking all students and parents to please take the time to read this document. It provides valuable, common sense information for protecting yourself during a flu outbreak.

In the event of a flu outbreak, we are asking all Lewis students to follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

For more information visit:

Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/

Illinois Department of Public Health at http://www.idph.state.il.us/

Will County Health Department at http://www.willcountyhealth.org/en/do.jsp

Please call the Lewis University Center for Health and Counseling Services with any questions or concerns at (815) 836-5455. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Michelle Ronchetti, RN, BSN
Director of Health Services at Lewis University

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H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

The public should continue to monitor the news and heed the advice provided by federal, state and local health officials and their health care provider. There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
  
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
  
  
• If you get sick, you should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Symptoms of H1N1 (swine flu) are similar to regular human flu and include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue

Some people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 (swine flu).

For people who have flu-like symptoms and have traveled to areas where H1N1 (swine flu) has been confirmed, they should seek medical attention. However, if a person has flu-like symptoms but has NOT traveled to areas where H1N1 (swine flu) has been confirmed, they should stay home and contact a doctor to see if they should go in for testing.

For up to date information visit:

• www.willcountyhealth.org
• www.cdc.gov/swineflu/index.htm
• www.idph.state.il.us/flu/swine_flu.htm
• www.flu.gov

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