Golden Flyers

Flyers Fighting the Flu

News & Updates | Flu Prevention Tips | For Students | For Faculty | For Staff
For Parents | For Student Athletes | Flu FAQ | Links & Resources

Welcome, Flyers fighting the flu! Nazareth College is taking preemptive measures against possible H1N1 flu outbreaks: to help, a group of faculty, staff, and students has been appointed to the College's H1N1 Preparedness Team to prepare for and respond to any H1N1 issues. Our goal is to maintain a healthy and safe learning environment for our students and community, and we continue to actively monitor the progress of the virus and follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We appreciate your attention to this information and thank you in advance for your support.

News & Updates

(Updated 11/11/09)

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES STILL HAS A LIMITED SUPPLY OF H1N1 VACCINE AND IS OFFERING A FINAL FREE H1N1 CLINIC FOR STUDENTS UNDER 25

Friday, November 13th, 2009
9 am - Noon
**The 1924 Room/Shults Building (near info desk - upstairs)**

  • No appointment is needed during the above times

  • Please bring your student ID

  • You will be required to sit for 15 minutes after receiving the vaccine, so please plan your time accordingly

    Students with pre-existing medical conditions are strongly urged to get the vaccine.
    If you have any questions whether you should receive the vaccine, please contact your primary care provider.

Please go to the following website and review the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS) before you come to receive your vaccine. http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf.

You can also check where you would be on the list of target populations for both seasonal and H1N1 vaccine.

 

 

Flu Prevention Tips

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Seven Sensational Tips:

  1. Keep things in perspective. The CDC and others need to prepare for the worst-case scenarios in order to protect the public. To date, we have had relatively few cases reported at Nazareth and the duration of the illness has been only a few days.
  2. Get the facts. Check the Nazareth and Student Health Services Website for up-to-date information. This is a rapidly evolving situation and sometimes news headlines and sound bites are not the best resources for information.
  3. Stay healthy. Proper diet, rest and exercise are your best defense against any disease threat. Hand washing and other hygienic actions can help you maintain a healthy body.
  4. Build resilience. Draw on the coping skills that have helped you manage life's past curve balls. Use those same skills to manage your emotions during these challenging times.
  5. Have a plan. Talk with your friends about what you would do in case you do get influenza like illness. Explore with your family what support you might expect from them. Now is the time to make sure your "Flu Buddy" form has been returned to Residential Life.
  6. Stay connected. Maintain your social networks which can foster a sense of normalcy and provide an outlet for sharing feelings and relieving stress. Check in with your hall community and your RA. Twitter, MySpace and Facebook buddies can be a big help. However, don't be alarmed by the Twitter Tweet!
  7. Get help if necessary. If you have intense feelings of anxiety or hopelessness, contact Counseling Services (x2887). Your RA or Area Director are also there to help you develop strategies for coping with stress. Use your resources!
Wash your hands with soap and clean running water. Visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1 for more information.

Other important information for students:

  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid contact with those who appear sick.
  • Don't share food, drinks, phones, or makeup (lip gloss/chapstick).
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.
  • Don't touch your hands to your face to avoid spreading germs.
  • If you haven't already, ask your health care provider if you should get the seasonal flu vaccine.
  • If you're in an at-risk group, ask your health care provider if you should get the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available.
  • Get 7-8 hours sleep nightly and eat balanced meals.
  • Regularly clean surfaces and items that people frequently touch with usual household cleaning supplies.
  • If you become ill you should plan to self-isolate; go home or remain in your room/apartment until fever is resolved for 24 hours without medication. Contact your professors!
  • Call Health Services with any questions at (585) 389-2500 or email us at health@naz.edu.
  • Encourage others to follow these guidelines.

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For Students

For Student Athletes

For Faculty

For Staff

For Parents

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Flu FAQ

What can I do to prevent getting the flu?

  • Wash hands regularly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Don't touch your hands to your face.
  • Regularly clean surfaces and items that people frequently touch with normal household cleaning supplies.
  • Don't share food, drinks, phones, or makeup (lip gloss/chapstick)
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.
  • Avoid contact with those who appear sick.
  • If you haven't already, ask your health care provider if you should get the seasonal flu vaccine.
  • If you're in an at-risk group, ask your health care provider if you should get the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available.
  • Get 7-8 hours sleep nightly and eat balanced meals.
  • Encourage others to follow these guidelines!

What should I do if I think I have the flu?

  • Call Student Health Services at (585) 389-2500 to talk to one of the nurses.
  • Come into Health Services at 102 Carroll Hall to be evaluated.
  • Call Fone Med at (866) 910-5313 if Health Services is closed.
  • See your health care provider at home.

If I'm told I have an influenza-like illness (ILI) by Health Services or my own health care provider, what should I do?

  • Our #1 recommendation is that sick students go home. This self-isolation is necessary to prevent spread of the virus. Send an email to each of your professors to notify them that you're sick and will not be in class. Contact your athletic trainer or coach if you play an intercollegiate sport.
  • If you cannot go home, you should remain in your room or off-campus apartment. Don't go to class, the dining hall, athletic practice or other group activities.
  • Ask a friend or roommate to be your flu buddy: your buddy will take your ID card to the dining hall for food and bring it to you; she or he will also check up on you periodically. Sign up to be a flu buddy here.
  • If you don't have a flu buddy and you live on campus, call Chartwells Dining Services at 585-389-2077 to request that food be delivered to your room.
  • Follow the treatment plan of your health care provider!

What else shoud I do?

  • Avoid close contact (stay at least six feet away) with others until 24 hours without fever (must be off fever reducing medications for 24 hours).
  • Wear a mask when in the presence of family members or roommates.
  • Wash hands well and frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cough into your shoulder or elbow.

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Will I be able to make up missed classes, exams and assignments?
Please consult the HINI Policy for Student Absences to find out what to do if you miss class or assignments.

What should I do if my roommate gets sick?
Decide whether you want to be her/his flu buddy. If you answer yes, you can sign up to be a flu buddy here. In addition, you should minimize close contact with your roommate and ask that she/he wear a mask when you're in the room together, as well as follow the precautions listed under "What can I do to prevent getting the flu?" You can also ask your roommate to follow the guidelines noted under "If I'm told I have an influenza-like illness (ILI) by Health Services or my own health care provider, what should I do?"

Have there been cases of H1N1 flu on campus?
In the last few weeks, Health Services has seen about 30 suspected cases of influenza like illness. Like the surrounding medical community, we are not testing specifically for the H1N1 flu, but rather diagnosing based on symptom presentation.

Will I be able to get the H1N1 vaccine on campus?
Health Services recently received a small amount of nasal and injectable vaccines. These doses will first be made available to students with conditions that place them at greater risk of complications due to H1N1. After this population has been served, a communication will be distributed about the availability of additional doses for the general student population.

What should I do if I have a pre-existing condition that makes me more vulnerable to the H1N1 flu?

  • If you have not already been contacted by Health Services to be placed on the priority list for the recently received H1N1 vaccine doses, call Health Services at (585) 389-2500.
  • Be extra vigilant about avoiding contact with sick persons and follow the suggestions under "What can I do to prevent getting the flu?"
  • Go to Health Services as soon as possible to receive early anti-viral treatment if you do get sick.

Where can I get a thermometer and mask if I get sick, or if I just want to be prepared?
Go to Health Services in Carroll Hall and the staff there will be happy to provide these items.

Is the College performing special cleaning to prevent transmission of the flu?
Frequently used surfaces, like doorknobs, hand rails, office counters, keyboards in computer labs, etc., are being cleaned regularly and more frequently than usual. All public bathrooms have been outfitted with antibacterial foam soap dispensers and no-touch paper towel dispensers will be placed in all bathrooms by the end of October. In addition, alcohol-based hand cleaner stations are being placed at various locations around campus.

How do I get meals if I'm self isolating?
Ask a friend or roommate to be your flu buddy: your buddy will take your ID card to the dining hall for food and bring it to you; she or he will also check up on you periodically. Sign up to be a flu buddy here. If you do not have a flu buddy and you live on campus, call Chartwells Dining Services at (585) 389-2077 to request that food be delivered to your room.

 

Links & Resources

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