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10/29/2009
For the week of October 18-24, 55 students reported influenza-like illness to Student Health Services. For October 10-17, the number was 44 students. There have been a total of 183 students reporting influenza-like-illness to Student Health Services since August 24th.
http://www.temple.edu/safety/emergencypreparedness
Dear Employees,
These are exciting times at Temple University and we are thrilled to welcome our new and returning students! While you may not have heard much in the news over the summer regarding H1N1 (formerly swine flu) we want to let you know Temple University officials are carefully monitoring the situation.
As you may know, flu (influenza) can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of influenza at Temple University for as long as possible, but, we need your help to accomplish this.
We are working closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.
For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:
Hand hygiene
Practice good hand hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing and before eating. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
Cover coughs and sneezes
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. Throw your used tissues away immediately and avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
Know the signs and symptoms of the Influenza (the flu)
The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
Get vaccinated
We recommend that all students receive the vaccination for the seasonal flu. We will be providing more information about how to obtain the seasonal flu vaccine later in the fall. We are closely monitoring the progress on the availability of the H1N1 vaccine and will provide information as soon as it is available.
What to bring to campus
Consider bringing your own thermometer, hand sanitizer, cold medications, tissues, cleansing agents, and any additional items you may need in the event of illness.
If you have Influenza-like symptoms
If you experience Influenza-like symptoms, please go to Employee Health Services.
The CDC recommends those with Influenza -like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (called “self-isolation”), except to seek medical care.
Students for whom self isolation is recommended will be asked to:
- If possible you should return home until they have recovered and have not had a fever or signs of a fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. If going home is not an option, please limit contact with others as much as possible.
- Stay at your residence if you have flu or flu-like illness until you have not had a fever for at least 24 hours (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class, work or any public gathering.
- Notify the Dean of Students Office who will be tracking students with flu-like symptoms in order to be proactive with their care and wellness:
http://www.temple.edu/provost/deanofstudents/
- Notify your faculty to make arrangements for any missed classes etc.
Flu kits containing over the counter medications, thermometers and useful information regarding treatment of the flu will be available from Student Health Services. As the semester progresses we will continue to monitor the situation and will notify you by e-mail of any changes to Temple’s strategy for preventing the spread of flu on our campus.
For updates and more information, please go to;
http://www.temple.edu/safety/emergencypreparedness
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Again, welcome and have a safe and healthy fall semester!
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