H1N1 Information

Personal Steps to Preventing the Flu

Use good health habits to help prevent the flu. Some important ones are:  

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent
those around you from getting sick. Remember to properly dispose of your used tissues.  
And wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel immediately after.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from    
others to protect them from getting sick too. 

It is important to stay home from work, school, errands, sporting events, activities and group
gatherings when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness. Call your
doctor if your symptoms last a long time or get worse over time. 

Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. 

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches   
something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or
mouth. 

Get adequate sleep. Lack of sleep (rest) reduces your body's resistance to the flu. 

Drink lots of water. Catching the flu becomes more likely when you are dehydrated. 

In addition, to drinking water, eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables
daily -- and  always eat breakfast. Good nutrition is an excellent way to keep
your body resistant to the flu.

Take a multi-vitamin daily and, if your health care provider approves, take additional    
vitamin C if you don't think you're getting enough in your diet. 

Don't Smoke. Smoking lowers your body's resistance to disease and causes   
damage to your lungs and respiratory system.

 

East Central University Procedures for the Flu

Based upon recommendations from the CDC and our local health department

  1. A student (or employee) presenting to Student Health Services with symptoms of the flu are tested for both type A and B
  2. If positive for type A (H1N1 flu classification) or have other risk factors (identified by the CDC) even if the initial testing is negative:
    1. Treatment protocols will be followed per standing orders for suspected/confirmed case:
      1. Medication(s)
      2. The student will be sent "home" and asked to remain there until they have been without fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication).  (Self isolation)
      3. The period someone is contagious is estimated to be from 24 hours before the onset of symptoms and for 5-7 days following the onset of symptoms
        1. If the student lives in the residence halls he/she will be asked to go home;
        2. If the student cannot go home because of distance, the student will be asked not to leave their room for meals, class or work.  Arrangements will be made with food service for meals.  Student Health Services also will monitor patients who must remain in the residence halls.
      4. The student will not be permitted to attend classes or on-campus place of employment.
      5. Academic Affairs will be notified of students testing positive and of the treatment recommendations, including not attending class/work
      6. IF the student requests, faculty and/or departments will be notified by Student Health Services that the student has been sent "home" because of flu and also will be provided information regarding when the student may return
  3. If the student (employee) becomes ill with flu or flu-like illness and does not visit the Student Health Services the patient will be told to remain away from campus until they have been without fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medication).  The student will be encouraged to call the Dean of Students Office or the Central Student Development Office if they are requesting faculty be notified of their illness.
  4. Unless there are allergies, the student/employee will be started on Tamiflu to help prevent viral replication and secondary infections

Again, the CDC and our local health department recommend the following safety precautions to minimize risk of infection:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing/sneezing or cough/sneeze into the elbow.  Immediately throw the tissue away.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth. 
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Be physically active.
  • Manage stress.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.