H1N1 Flu Information
H1N1 Flu Update - Monday November 9, 2009
The first H1N1 Vaccination Clinic for Salisbury University students will be held Wednesday, November 11, in the Nanticoke rooms of the Guerrieri University Center.
xPriority groups, as identified by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), will be vaccinated first.
A current SU student ID is required.
Students under age 18 must have parental consent. Consent may be faxed to Student Health Services at 410-548-4101 prior to the clinic. Vaccine will be administered on a first come, first served basis. Students may encounter lines.
From 9-11 a.m., the clinic will be open to the following students:
- Pregnant women
- Students 65 years or younger with chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems (Examples include diabetics, those with heart or lunch disease, and asthmatics.) Those unsure about a health condition that may put them at risk should check with their healthcare providers managing the condition.
- Students who are parents/caregivers of infants younger than 6 months
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., these groups will continue to be vaccinated, along with any student through age 25.
People who have had a confirmed case of H1N1 are considered to be immune and do not need to be vaccinated. Anyone moderately to severely ill with any acute illness should wait until he or she is well before being vaccinated.
The CDC has stated that eventually anyone desiring the vaccine will be able to get it. If and when more vaccine becomes available to SU, anyone who was unable to receive vaccination initially will be offered vaccine at future clinics. Information about future clinics will be posted on the Emergency Preparedness Web site, www.salisbury.edu/emergency, and on the Campus Health Alert Hotline, 410-543-7995.
As most of you are aware, this fall we face not only the
usual seasonal influenza but also the novel H1N1 influenza that
surfaced last spring. We continue to urge students to stay tuned
for updates on the situation. The seasonal flu vaccine is
separate and provides different immunity than the H1N1 vaccine.
Both are recommended this year for college students by the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Manufacturers
have re-directed production efforts from seasonal flu vaccine in
order to create supplies of H1N1 vaccine. For this reason, many
facilities are unable to procure seasonal flu vaccine. Student
Health Services has exhausted its supply of seasonal flu
vaccine. Individuals should contact their local health
department or private healthcare provider as these facilities
will receive any vaccine that becomes available.
Student Health Services anticipates receiving H1N1 vaccine
in the coming weeks. Monitor the emergency preparedness website,
www.salisbury.edu/emergency, for updates. Campus wide emails
will be sent announcing clinics as vaccine becomes available.
Information about the flu is also available by
calling the Campus Health Alert Hotline at: 410-543-7995
FLU Symptoms include:
- Of 100 degrees or more
- Cough and/or sore throat
- Headache and/or body aches
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea or vomiting
Having these symptoms does not always mean that you have the
flu. Many different illnesses, including the common cold, can
have similar symptoms
You can minimize the risk of contracting the flu by:
- Washing your hands often, especially after
coughing, sneezing and wiping or blowing the
nose. If water is not available, use a hand
sanitizer.
- Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze
with a tissue, and immediately discard it. If
you do not have tissues available, cough into
your sleeve.
- Staying away from sick people, crowded
sleeping and living spaces, if possible.
- Using household disinfectants to wipe down
doorknobs, work stations, counter tops and
bathroom surfaces.
- Building your immune system by eating well,
getting plenty of rest, and managing your stress
in positive ways.
- Get a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine
if it becomes available
The following are CDC Recommendations:
- If you have flu-like symptoms, including a
fever of 100 degrees or more AND cough or sore
throat, then stay home and call your physician
or Student Health Services.
- If you are mildly sick with symptoms stay
home and recover. Self-isolate until you are
fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever
reducing medications like Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Stay away from others as much as possible. Have
friends or roommates pick up meals for you from
Dining Services or other places rather than
going out yourself.
- Roommates and friends should use the social
distancing rule of 6 feet to limit sharing.
- Have in place a transportation plan so that
you can go home to recover. You will be more
comfortable and it will limit the spread of the
flu on campus.
- Warning signs that indicate that you need
medical care are:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
Academic Concerns:
If you contract the flu, email or call your professors early
on. Communications have been sent to faculty and staff asking
them to understand the need for self isolation during this time.
Medical notes will not be issued by Student Health Services due
to the volume of people expected to be affected and the demand
on healthcare providers to treat the very ill.
Information about the flu is available by calling the
Campus Health Alert Hotline at:
410-543-7995
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