H1N1 Updates for Campus
UW-Stout is continuing to monitor the activity of the H1N1 influenza virus. While we don’t know how significant the 2009-2010 influenza season will be, we are continuing our contingency planning efforts with local health authorities and the Stout Continuity of Operations (COOP) Team. Over the summer, we completed a pandemic influenza plan to ensure that we are prepared to address the health and safety of our campus community in the event of an influenza crisis. This plan is available on this page, please bookmark for future reference. While you are making plans for your school year, here are some recommendations to help you stay healthy:
What You Can and Should Do:
-
Follow the basic health and safety guidelines from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm and http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov/. Remember, that it is always important to stay home when sick and to cover your cough and wash your hands frequently. If you are experiencing conditions such as a fever, cough and/or sore throat that concern you, please CALL your health care provider. UW-Stout students should call Student Health Services at 232-1314 if you have questions about symptoms. Check the UW-Stout web site www.uwstout.edu regarding any news that might affect classes, events, and the university as a whole.
-
Pay attention to any official e-mails you receive from the UW-Stout administration regarding this topic. Faculty members may also be connecting with students in their classes.
What UW-Stout Will Do:
-
We will offer seasonal influenza vaccine clinics this fall. We are working with the Dunn County Public Health Department to offer H1N1 vaccine clinics when the vaccine becomes available. We will disseminate information about those clinics as soon as possible.We have contingency plans in the event we have large numbers of students who become ill with influenza. Plans will include continuity of instruction, if possible, and continuity of services, including services for on-campus student residents who may become ill during the semester.
-
We will remind everyone of the added importance of good hygiene in this influenza season. We will take additional measures including signs, and promotional materials, to help further protect the health and safety of the members of our community.
The UW Stout Student Health Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm), and the Wisconsin Pandemic Flu Resource Office (http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov) advise the following steps to protect your health:
-
If you have flu like symptoms, call the Student Health Services 715/232-1314 for health care advice rather than “walking in” for an appointment.Cover your nose and mouth in your shirt sleeve when you cough or sneeze. 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 to reduce the potential spread of viruses such as influenza. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
-
If you get symptoms of influenza (fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea), stay home from work or school and limit your contact with others. If you are feeling ill, you are encouraged to coordinate arrangements with your supervisor and/or professor to remain at home to help reduce further transmissions.
Treatment and Response
The majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor's treatment. Faculty, staff, and students who are ill with the flu should remain at home (or in their room) for 24 hours after they are fever-free (without use of fever reducing medication). A mild, lingering cough may occur. Barring any other flu symptoms, this cough should not prevent students from returning to class.
If you have been in contact with someone who has the flu, onset of the virus can take up to three days. If you experience any flu symptoms within this time period, please stay home to limit the spread of the virus. If you are pregnant or if you have a chronic medical condition such as diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart or lung problems, or a weakened immune system, you should CALL your physician or the Student Health Services.
The following vaccinations are expected to be available this fall 2009:
-
Seasonal Flu Vaccine: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all students get vaccinated for the seasonal flu. This vaccine will be available for students at the health center or during flu clinic for $15 Faculty and staff may also get the shot for $20. Watch for upcoming flu clinic schedules
H1N1 Vaccine: Recent recommendations from the CDC have placed individuals under age 24 in the top priority group for receiving the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is anticipated to be available in October 2009 available. More information will be available in the coming weeks regarding how and when this vaccine will be given.
Recommendations for Student with Flu or Influenza Like Illness