Pandemic influenza information for MCG students

• The Seasonal (not H1N1) flu vaccine is currently available at MCG Student Health. The CDC highly recommends that all health care professionals, including students, get the seasonal flu vaccination early this year to prevent overlap with the H1N1 vaccine.

• We are coming to you.  Student Health will be conducting Seasonal flu vaccination clinics at various locations around campus in facilities where you go to class. Please check your email for a schedule of times and places.
• Or, come to Student Health for your flu shot between the times of 8:30-4:30, Monday- Friday. There will be a $10 charge for the Seasonal flu shot (covered by Pearce and Pearce wellness benefit).

• For students going to outside rotations, your site may require you to have a Seasonal flu vaccine prior to starting the rotation. Check with your School’s Dean’s office as soon as possible, as there may be a very short time frame to get your vaccination.
• The H1N1 vaccine may be available in early to mid October, and we will keep you informed with updates.
• We know there are cases of H1N1 in this community. Other college campuses in Georgia are experiencing high rates of infection among students.
• Protect yourself and others.  Stay informed, check your GroupWise e-mail for updates, and visit:  www.flu.gov and www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• Consider staying away from overly crowded environments, like bars and theaters; keep a bottle of hand sanitizer available for use after handling money or touching public surfaces like handrails in stairwells, or counters in fast-food restaurants. When in public, keep your distance from people who appear ill or sound ill. Do not share cups or other drinking or eating utensils
• Most of the students that have been sick with H1N1 flu on college campuses are better within 3-4 days and well within 5-7 days without antiviral treatment.
• Ill or exposed students who have conditions that may increase the risk of complications from the flu (pregnancy, diabetes, asthma, or other chronic illnesses), should seek advice and or treatment by calling his or her personal physician’s office or the Student Health Service at 706-721-3448. http://organizedwisdom.com/High_Risk_Group_for_Swine_Flu
• If you expose others who are considered to be in one of the high risk groups, have them contact their healthcare provider.
• In order ensure adequate supplies of medication and to reduce the chance of resistance, the CDC recommends that treatment or prophylaxis of the flu with antiviral medication (like Tamiflu or Relenza) should be limited to the high risk groups.
• If you get the flu, there are over-the-counter medications to help you feel better.  Do not take aspirin or aspirin containing products. You can take Motrin (ibuprofen), Aleve (naprosyn), or Tylenol (acetaminophen) for fever, headaches, and body aches. You may also take an over-the-counter cough syrup or a combination cold formula with decongestants and antihistamines. It is important to get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated.  See the following link for more information. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/infections/cold-flu/073.html#ArticleParsysMiddleColumn0005

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET THE FLU:

• Symptoms of the flu include the sudden onset of fever of 100° F or more, plus cough and/or sore throat, fatigue, and may also include body aches, headache, runny nose, congestion, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
• Diagnosis is made by the symptoms, and testing is no longer recommended.
• If you develop flu-like symptoms, and if possible, go home and stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medications.  Do not come back to campus unless you live in residential housing and have no other place to stay. Please contact both your Dean’s Office and Student Health by calling 706-721-3448 or emailing www.mcg.edu/shs, especially if you or anyone you live with is at high risk for complications. http://organizedwisdom.com/High_Risk_Group_for_Swine_Flu
• If you are ill and live on campus, self-isolate in your dorm room or apartment (bedroom) and please contact Mr. Tom Fitts from Residential Housing by calling 706-721-3471 or emailing tfitts@mcg.edu. Please contact Student Health by calling 706-721-3448 or emailing www.mcg.edu/shs, especially if you or anyone you live with is at high risk for complications. http://organizedwisdom.com/High_Risk_Group_for_Swine_Flu
   
• If you are ill with the flu, please notify your instructors, attending, or supervising faculty member and your Dean’s Office by phone or elecronic means. This information is very important in order to track abscenteesm.
• If you are required to have an excuse after notifying your school that you are ill with the flu, please contact Student Health by phone at 706-721-3448 or e-mail www.mcg.edu/shs.
• Please notify all close contacts or roommates, especially those at high risk for developing complications.
• Keep others in your household from getting sick by staying in a bedroom with the door closed. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people, and if sharing a common space with other household members in your home, you and others should wear facemasks, if available and tolerable.
• You should seek immediate medical care if you can not keep down fluids, become very dizzy or faint or confused, start wheezing or have shortness of breath, continue to have a fever for 5 or more days, feel like you are getting sicker, or get well and then sick again. Please call your personal physician or Student Health at 706-721-3448, or if necessary go an emergency room.
• If you are sick and have to leave your home, try to keep a distance of about 6 feet between yourself and others, wear a mask if available, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze (throw the tissue in the trash or flush after use), and wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand gel if available.
• If you know of sick classmates, or have a sick roommate, please help to make sure they are getting plenty of fluids, have food, and whether or not they need medical attention. Contact them daily to check on their status.
• If you are well, and if needed, you can pick up a “flu support kit” from Student Health (mask, hand gel, disposable thermometers, fever reducing medications and decongestants).
• If you are caring for a person with the flu, please see the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm