September 1, 2009

Letter to Parents

Dear University of St. Thomas Parents, Guardians and Families:

Often when a student departs for college, many parents or guardians experience a certain amount of anxiety. This fall, news of H1N1 virus (previously known as swine flu) may add to that anxiety. We would like to take this opportunity to express our commitment to a healthy campus community and update you on the plans the University of St. Thomas has in place for addressing the H1N1 flu virus. 

As you know, the H1N1 virus is a global, viral respiratory illness that can vary from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe influenza like illness with fever, chills, sore throat and cough.  In addition to seasonal influenza, we expect to see cases of H1N1 this fall and have been implementing a number of measures to ensure our campus community remains healthy.

You can play a vital role in ensuring your student’s health by encouraging the importance of self-care measures including frequent hand washing with soap or hand sanitizer, covering of mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, practice good eating and sleeping habits, limiting social contact when not feeling well and for your student to receive the flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine when available. We also suggest that students living on campus bring disinfecting wipes for frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, and fever-reducing medications such as ibuprofen with them.  

It is also recommended that students receive a seasonal flu shot. The University of St. Thomas Student Health Service will hold seasonal flu clinics in September with subsequent H1N1 vaccination clinics by late fall.  Updates will be published in the St. Thomas Bulletin Today, and also at the web sites for the Student Health Service www.stthomas.edu/studenthealth and the St. Thomas Pandemic Plan www.stthomas.edu/pandemic.

The following recommendations are to be implemented if a student becomes ill:

• If a student has an H1N1/ Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) – defined as fever equal to or greater than 100°F plus a cough or sore throat, they are not to attend classes and must notify academic counseling, professors and Student Health Service by simply using the using the electronic “Student H1N1 Report of Absence” which can be found at www.stthomas.edu/pandemic/ili or by calling (651) 962-SICK (7425). Students will continue to be responsible for all course work.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends students that have H1N1/ ILI self-isolate until at least 24 hours after they are free of a fever of greater than 100°F without the use of fever-reducing medications. Self–isolation means staying at home, returning home, going to a relative or friend’s home if possible, or remaining in the residence hall room except to obtain medical care or other necessities. 
• All ill students are to avoid large group gatherings including classes, sporting events and public forms of transportation such as the campus shuttle bus.
• If a student is pregnant or has chronic medical problems such as asthma or diabetes, they should call Student Health Service at the onset of symptoms.  Additionally, if a student’s symptoms are severe – such as prolonged high fever or difficulty breathing, they should call Student Health Service at (651) 962-6750. Be aware that most people with ILI will improve without medical intervention.

If your son or daughter’s roommate has H1N1/ ILI, they are to continue to implement good self-care measures and avoid close contact with the ill roommate if possible. If your son or daughter is a roommate of a student with an ILI, and they have a chronic medical illness or are pregnant, please have them contact the Student Health Service for further recommendations on preventative medications as soon as possible.

We hope that the results of the influenza will be limited. We will continue to stay attentive regarding any changes and we will communicate these changes to your students and at the St. Thomas web site www.stthomas.edu/pandemic.

We hope this information is helpful to you. We want to continue to partner with you regarding the health and well-being of your student. Please do not hesitate to contact Student Health Service at (651) 962-6750 if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,

   Jane Canney, Vice President for Student Affairs 

  Marilee Votel-Kvaal, MD, Student Health Service Medical Director