Information about the H1N1 Flu Virus
CCSU and the State of Connecticut continue to monitor the ongoing H1N1 flu pandemic.
This site will continually be updated as new information and, potentially, new directions
become available. The well-being of students, faculty and staff is the University's
highest priority. In coordination with the State of Connecticut's Department of
Public Health, the University has developed a plan to address the potential outbreak
of the H1N1 virus on campus during the coming academic year. University personnel
have been meeting with others from the state's institutions of higher education
to keep abreast of developments and to offer the most reliable information to the
CCSU community. Below you will see what we are currently doing as well as
links to additional information, particularly to the Center for Disease Control. We also encourage you to view the newly added videos linked below in the Resources section.
For now, here are a few things you can do
to help:
§
Stay home, or go home, if you have flu or flu-like
illness: Symptoms of a flu-like illness usually include fever or chills,
cough, and body aches, but can include sore throat, runny nose, headache,
fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting. Don't go to class or work if you have these
symptoms. Contact your primary care provider or University Health Services
for advice or, if you are very ill, for an appointment. Please follow your
usual absentee policies and contact your professors or supervisors. Also,
if you live on-campus, please notify your Resident Assistant or Residence Director.
§ Do not return to campus or classes
for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. By fever we mean
a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or signs of a fever:
chills, feeling very warm or flushed, or sweating. This should be determined
without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen
or acetaminophen).
§ Be
prepared: We urge all students to have available the following supplies:
- A simple electronic (not mercury) thermometer at home or in their dorm room.
- Hand sanitizer, disinfectant spray or wipes, tissues, and over-the counter
symptom relieving medicines like ibuprofen or Tylenol. Remember that aspirin
and products containing aspirin can be dangerous for those of you under 19 if
you have the flu.
To reduce your risk of becoming ill or spreading
germs:
§
Practice good hand hygiene: Wash your
hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based
hand cleaners also are effective and we encourage you to carry one with you.
§
Practice respiratory etiquette by covering
your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a
tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
§ Get a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1
flu shot when available:
Talk with your primary care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for
seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 flu and when they may have these vaccines available. CCSU Health Services has no more seasonal flu vaccine. To find another local seasonal flu clinic go to: http://www.flucliniclocator.org/
Please look for announcements for CCSU flu clinics for the H1N1 vaccine. We will announce its availability on our website. For more information about priority
groups for vaccination, visit
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
Here are some additional resources for your
consideration.
