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Campus Health Advisory

Lower your chances of getting or spreading the flu

Get a flu shot Cover your mouth Wash your hands Stay at home
Get both a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 flu shot. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel. Stay home if you are sick.

Images and information above are compliments of Massachusetts Department of Public Health www.mass.gov/flu

Flu Information & Updates

This fall, preparing for a new academic year also means planning for an expected resurgence in cases of the H1N1 influenza virus. All public health agencies are planning for an increase in flu cases, and at Lesley we are staying in touch with those agencies as we strive to keep the Lesley community healthy through the flu season.

H1N1 Flu: Resources for Colleges and Universities - Institutional Resources for Higher Ed- http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/

The best defenses -- both for yourself and those around you -- is in personal behavior geared to prevention and education. We urge everyone to consult the following resources.

Learn more:

For general information, please refer to the sections below which pertain to your Lesley affiliation:

 

LESLEY UNIVERSITY INFLUENZA EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDE

Lesley University is urging everyone in the Lesley community to learn how to protect themselves and those around them from the H1N1 influenza virus, formerly called swine flu. As the H1N1 or seasonal flu makes its appearance at Lesley University, our goal is to minimize the spread and guided by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local public health agencies, protect the health and safety of the Lesley Community to the greatest extent possible.

Throughout the year, we will continue to receive updates from public health agencies, and have the information and updates posted online for the Lesley community.

It is important that all students, faculty and staff familiarize yourself with information concerning the threat of influenza and H1N1 and how to protect yourself and those around you. This web site strives to provide you with reliable resources for the latest information – as well as policies and procedures for safe behavior on and off campus at Lesley.

Flu Symptoms

  • Do you have a cough?
  • Do you have a sore throat?
  • Do you have a headache, body aches or chills?
  • Do you have a fever of 100°F or more?

If you answered yes to a fever of 100°F or more and any of the other symptoms, you have an "influenza-like illness!" (flu sometimes also causes nasal symptoms, diarrhea and vomiting).

While most people will experience these symptoms for 3-4 days, there are some people who are at increased risk -Some people with underlying medical issues are at increased risk of complications from influenza. Asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and pregnancy are several of the conditions which increase an individual's risk. Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Information & Preventive Behavior

H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

The Centers for Disease Control maintains an excellent website with the latest information for the general public as well as health care providers. We recommend you review http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm a handy Question and Answer page with the latest information – including the best practices for prevention and treatment.

Hand Washing and Cough Etiquette

These are terms you'll be hearing a lot throughout the coming flu season. These two common sense practices are the single best methods of protecting yourself and those around you.

You know how to wash your hands, right? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ELm7VjrFg4 This video demonstrates not only proper procedure – but also a real sense of how unwashed hands can help transmit a virus, especially to and from children. More on the importance of hand washing – both to prevent the transmission of H1N1 and as a part of proper hygiene is here: http://www.cdc.gov/cleanhands/

Cough Etiquette – "Cover your mouth when you cough," a familiar message, and an important one. Follow the guidelines below, and take notice of this Cover your Cough flyer [pdf] you'll see around campus.

  • Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing;
  • Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use;
  • Perform hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials

Faculty and Staff (Cambridge/Boston)

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

 These are simple but essential practices:

GET VACCINATED-H1N1 influenza spreads much like seasonal flu, and spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not come to work until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.

Flu Symptoms

NOTIFY the office of Human Resources at x8787 or hr@lesley.edu of a flu-like illness, we need to track locations and numbers of individuals throughout campus.

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)

Faculty and Staff (National Programs)

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

These are simple but essential practices:

GET VACCINATED-H1N1 influenza spreads much like seasonal flu, and spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not come to work until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.

Flu Symptoms

NOTIFY

Faculty Members exhibiting flu-like symptoms

Faculty member should contact Helen Newcomb, Director of Faculty Care, at 617.349.8644 or hnewcomb@lesley.edu . Helen will notify the appropriate Program Director and Human Resources, and her staff will assist with travel cancellations. Faculty should cover classes by following the plans distributed by the Provost's Office (http://www.lesley.edu/provost/content/flu_preparedness.html). If you are unable to do so due to your illness, please inform Helen of that fact, and we will initiate a plan for coverage or postponement of the weekend classes.

Field Staff Members who are ill with suspected H1N1

Field Staff should contact their immediate supervisor who will notify Off-Campus Administration and Human Resources. Their immediate supervisor will assist in coverage plans.

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)

Residential Students

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

These are simple but essential practices:

GET VACCINATED-H1N1 influenza spreads much like seasonal flu, and spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu-like symptoms, stay isolated until you can make it home. You may return to campus after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol. If it is impossible to go home until you are well, you must remain in your room, leaving only to go to the bathroom while wearing a mask to prevent others from becoming infected.

Flu Symptoms

NOTIFY AND PREVENT THE SPREAD

  • If you are a residential student, call Student Health Service (SHS) and talk to a nurse practitioner during business hours (617.349.8222) or Public Safety (617.349.8888) if SHS is closed.
  • Notify a Community Advisor (CA) or a Resident Director (RD) for further instructions and a flu kit, including face mask.
  • Contact your parent/guardian and plan to go home (by private vehicle only) and stay isolated until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (Your fever should be gone without fever reducing medicine.)
  • Isolate yourself in your room until you are able to go home.
  • If it is impossible to go home until you are well, you must remain in your room, leaving only to go to the bathroom while wearing a mask to prevent others from becoming infected (masks will be provided by a Resident Staff member).
  • Inform your professors or ask SHS to inform them for you.
  • Do not attend any events or group gatherings until 24 hours after your fever goes away. (Again –fever must subside naturally, not with fever reducing medicine).
  • If your roommate is sick with flu-like symptoms, we encourage you to move out of the room until (s)he leaves campus. Talk to a Community Advisor (CA) or Resident Director (RD).

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)

Off-Campus Students (Boston/Cambridge)

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

These are simple but essential practices:

GET VACCINATED- H1N1 influenza spreads much like seasonal flu, and spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not come to ;campus until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.

Flu Symptoms

NOTIFY - You should email your academic advisor or faculty member for the course (s) that you might be missing. Cohort students might also inform their Regional Director of their sickness and intended absence from class.

This year, attending classes and attempting to fulfill responsibilities that bring you in proximity with others while you are sick is not a sign of personal strength – but a risky behavior that jeopardizes the health of others. If you are sick – stay home.

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

In adults, emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)

Off-Campus Students (National Programs)

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

These are simple but essential practices:

GET VACCINATED-H1N1 influenza spreads much like seasonal flu, and spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine immediately, and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not come to campus until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.

Flu Symptoms

NOTIFY

Students with an active illness suspected to be H1N1

The student should not attend class, but should contact Michelle Chaurette McKenna, the Director of Student Care, at 617.349.8569 or mchauret@lesley.edu. Michelle will contact the faculty member. A student must be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen) prior to returning to the classroom.

This year, attending classes and attempting to fulfill responsibilities that bring you in proximity with others while you are sick is not a sign of personal strength – but a risky behavior that jeopardizes the health of others. If you are sick – stay home.

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

In adults, emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)

updated 09/29/09 | 10:56 AM
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