H1N1 Flu Update

Flu Prevention Tips

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners (e.g., Purell) also are effective.

• 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 that way.

• Obtain a flu vaccination when it becomes available. If you are at higher risk for flu complications from the 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1NI vaccine when it becomes available.

• If you were not able to get the seasonal flu shot at GMC, find additional clinics at www.findaflushot.com.

Purell and tissues are available in select areas on campus including Withey Dining Hall, the Buttery, the Waldron fitness room and Griswold Library. On-campus students have been provided small containers of Purell. Commuter students can obtain these containers from the Office of Student Life in Withey Hall. Face masks are also available in the Student Life Office for those who have developed a cough or are sneezing.

Symptoms are similar to those of the seasonal flu, including:

• Fever

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Runny nose

• Body aches

• Headache

• Chills

• Fatigue

H1N1 Precautionary Measures

• Most people recover completely without needing medical care.

• If you have a fever of 100 or greater, stay home. Do not return to class or work until 24 hours after fever is gone. Fever should be gone without use of any fever reducing medicine.

• Rest

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Use medicine, such as Tylenol or Advil, to reduce fevers.

• If you have a severe illness or a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, along with the flu symptoms, contact your health care provider or seek treatment at Castleton Family Health Services.

• Sometimes antiviral drugs may be given to treat those who become severely ill with the flu. It is important to know that not everyone who gets the flu will need medication.

H1N1 Care & Recovery

• If you are sick, stay home until your fever has gone away on its own for at least 24 hours.

• You can have your roommate or friends get food and beverages for you.

• Cover your nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Information about the H1N1 vaccine

• State and government health departments are working hard on producing a safe and effective vaccine for H1N1 flu.

• It is expected to become available for administration later this fall and there should be no shortage of the vaccine.

• It probably will consist of two injections, given 3-4 weeks apart.

• State health departments will determine who gets the vaccine first and will notify medical personnel to create a plan.

Contact Information
Students should contact the Castleton Family Health Center at 802-468-5641 if they feel they are developing the H1N1 flu.

For more information about GMC policies, contact Jessica Ley, Wellness Center Director, at 802-298-4320, or Joe Petrick, Vice-President of Student Life, at 802-298-8377.