To the Marywood Campus Community:
As you know, there is ongoing concern among national and international public health officials about H1N1 virus (also known as "swine flu"), with confirmed human cases of the infection reported in many countries around the world, including the United States.
Please do not come to work or school if you have any of the following symptoms:
- a sudden fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius)
- signs of fever - chills, feel very warm, flushed appearance, sweating
- body aches and pains
- coughing
- unexplained fatigue
Individuals with H1N1 virus may also experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and/or a runny nose and sore throat.
Students with any of the symptoms above should immediately call Student Health Services at 348-6249.
Faculty and staff with any of these symptoms should call their personal healthcare providers.
Students who become ill with flu-like symptoms are encouraged to go home until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol. Faculty and staff who become ill with flu-like symptoms should stay home until they are free of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol.
For those students who are ill and who cannot return home immediately or for those students who are not able to travel the University is setting up a temporary Care Center in the basement lounge area of Regina Hall. The Care Center will be staffed around the clock with faculty and students from the Physician Assistant Program who will monitor and tend to students until they are able to go home.
Beginning Monday, October 26 the basement lounge area in Regina Hall will be closed to general use to provide those students who are ill the privacy they need.
In keeping with its mission, community spirit, and core values, Marywood has proactively chosen to set up this Care Center to alleviate the concerns of students and family members who may be affected by the H1N1 virus and to help contain the virus for the greater good of the entire Marywood community. We anticipate the full cooperation of faculty, students and staff, and we are confident that we will come together as a community to address this serious health concern.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF:
- Wash your hands. Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water is essential in preventing the spread of flu. Waterless hand sanitizers also work well when soap and water are not easily available. Alcohol-based cleanser dispensers have been installed around campus for your convenience. You should consider purchasing individual-sized cleansers to carry in your purse or backpack.
- Call your health care provider to determine if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or the 2009 H1N1 flu.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill or who are manifesting flu-like symptoms. If you get sick, keep your distance from others (at least 3-4 feet).
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth to reduce the chance of getting flu germs in your system.
- Pack a "flu kit" consisting of tissues, Tylenol or Ibuprofen, instant soup and Gatorade, as well as additional alcohol-based cleansers.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Then dispose of the tissue and wash your hands. If you don't have a tissue you should sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Wash your hands as soon as possible.
- Sleep. Do not stay up all night studying. Sleep deprivation impairs your memory and your test performance and lowers your ability to fight off any virus.
- Eat breakfast. When you skip breakfast, your blood sugar levels and other nutrient levels drop, depriving you of the required nutrition and energy for the rest of the day. Eat nutritious foods at regular meals throughout the day. Drink plenty of fluids.
- Exercise. Take advantage of the Mellow Center for Athletics and Wellness.
- Manage your stress. If you have concerns contact Student Health Services, the Student Development/Counseling Center or your personal health care provider.
- Monitor the situation. Check www.cdc.gov or www.flu.gov for regular updates and enroll in e2 campus for important alerts from Marywood.
Marywood University officials are working with regional health authorities on this important matter and will continue to monitor the situation and make changes as appropriate.
For the latest information on the H1N1 virus and the current CDC recommendations, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/