Faculty and Staff

Preparing for the Flu

The 2011-2012 academic year will include planning for seasonal influenza. The H1H1 influenza virus has now entered the "post-pandemic" phase, meaning disease activity around the world has returned to levels usually seen for seasonal influenza. As public health agencies monitor and plan for the flu season, at Lesley, we will stay in touch with those agencies as we strive to keep the Lesley community healthy through the flu season.  We encourage you to read the booklet "Flu Care Booklet", prepare your home by following the recommendations, and keep this booklet on hand in case you need to refer to it later. Flu Care Booklet

General questions on Flu and the Seasonal Vaccination? Flu and Vaccination FAQ

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 influenza 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