MBCNews - H1N1 Flu and MBC

H1N1 Flu and MBC

2009-08-28

UPDATE 4 November 2009: H1N1 Vaccine not yet available at MBC ... but it's still coming
Mary Baldwin College still has plans to administer the H1N1 influenza vaccine to MBC students, employees, and their families as soon as possible under a long-standing agreement with the Central Shenandoah Health District. Unfortunately the college has not yet been given a specific date to expect a supply of the vaccine. When we have more information, students and employees will be notified via e-mail and this Web site.
Mary Baldwin College urges all students, faculty, and staff to take precautions against the novel H1N1 influenza (formerly called the swine flu), which has spread around the globe. In North America, it was first detected in April 2009. With the beginning of school and the advent of flu season, it may begin to spread more rapidly in North America. While the majority of U.S. cases to date have been relatively mild, and no cases have been reported at Mary Baldwin, the H1N1 flu can in some cases be serious, resulting in hospitalization or death. Because there is virtually no immunity to this flu within the population, the college community should be exceptionally vigilant in preventing its spread.

If you get sick, what should you do?
If you have a fever of over 100° F plus a cough and/or sore throat and/or vomiting or diarrhea, isolate yourself from others as much as possible in order to prevent spread of the disease: stay home or in your residence hall room. Contact your physician or the Health Center by telephone before seeking medical attention to ask for advice on how to minimize possible exposure to others in the health care setting.

The current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation is to stay home for at least 24 hours after fever has gone away.

In most cases, if flu symptoms begin at night, it is safe to wait until morning to seek medical attention. However, if your symptoms are severe, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Emergency warning signs that you need urgent medical attention:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

Sudden dizziness

Confusion

Severe or persistent vomiting

What everyone should do to lower risk of infection:

Carry a small bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you, and refill as necessary from an economically-priced larger bottle.

Keep a supply of sanitizing wipes on hand and clean frequently-touched surfaces like door knobs and light switches. (In an emergency — for instance, if your roommate becomes ill — your RA has a limited supply on hand)

Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 30 seconds — as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself. (When that’s not available, use hand sanitizer gel)

Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth.

If you cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue and then throw it away. If you don’t have a tissue, use the elbow of your sleeve and not your hand.

Sanitize frequently-touched surfaces like door handles and light switches.

In areas where there have been confirmed cases, avoid close contact (including hugs and handshakes) with others, as people can be contagious before they feel sick.

MBC has been preparing for a potential pandemic outbreak for several years, and we update our plan regularly. Mary Baldwin constantly monitors developments and recommendations from public health officials in order to best guide the college community.

For More Information

The Centers for Disease Control provides the most detailed and up-to-date information: Centers for Disease Control

The Virginia Department of Health posts information specific to Virginia: Virginia Department of Health

The World Health Organization monitors the outbreak on a global scale: World Health Organization

A summary of basic facts regarding 2009 H1N1 influenza, the flu and MBC, and other helpful information can be found on the MBC Health Center Web site