Communications from the Campus about H1N1

To Students

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September 17, 2009

Dear Students,

As you may know, college campuses across the United States are currently seeing spikes in the number of students with cases of the H1N1 influenza virus. Last spring, the H1N1 virus had a minimal effect on IUPUI’s operations but the federal Centers for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health now expect that the H1N1 flu will be more widespread this fall and will have a significantly greater effect on normal activities.

The virus causes relatively mild illness in most people that become infected.

You should follow these basic steps to reduce your risk of contracting H1N1 or seasonal flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• We recommend that you get the seasonal flu shot now (http://health.iupui.edu).
• Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth so as to limit the spread of germs.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep. Be physically active. Drink plenty of fluids. Eat nutritious food. Don’t share food, drink, or utensils.
• Stay home when you are sick. You’ll help prevent others from catching your illness.

If you have a fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a sore throat and cough, take the following actions:

• Isolate yourself to keep from potentially exposing other people to your illness.
• Contact your health care provider or Health Services (274-8214, Coleman Hall 100) if you have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, confusion, sudden dizziness, severe or persistent vomiting, and/or flu symptoms that improve then worsen. (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm)
• It is recommended that you stay home (except to get medical care or for other necessities) and do not return to school or work until your fever has been gone for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol or Advil). If you come down with the flu, e-mail your professors and let them know that you are ill and will miss class. We have communicated with the faculty and asked them to be accommodating with absences due to H1N1. If you run into any problems, please contact the Student Advocate at 278-7594.

IUPUI is closely monitoring the H1N1 influenza vaccine and will communicate any new information as it becomes available. Please visit the IUPUI Emergency Preparedness website for up-to-date information about seasonal and H1N1 flu: http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared.

We all need to do our part to prevent the spread of infection by following the steps outlined above.

With best wishes for a healthy and safe semester,

Stephen Wintermeyer, MD, MPH Director, IUPUI Health Services Dean of Students

Karen M. Whitney, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor for Student Life