September 3, 2009

Letter to Students

Dear University of St. Thomas Student:

Welcome to the 2009-20010 school year.  We are committed to a healthy campus community and would like to update you on the planning for the H1N1 flu virus (previously known as swine flu) with recommendations to minimize your risk for contracting this illness. We expect to see cases of H1N1 this fall, in addition to the seasonal influenza, and have implemented several measures to ensure our campus remains healthy.  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. 

You play a vital role in ensuring your own health. We recommend that you use important self-care measures including frequent hand washing with soap or hand sanitizer, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, practice good eating and sleeping habits, limit social contact when not feeling well and receive the flu vaccine as well as the H1N1 vaccine when available. We recommend that resident students bring disinfecting wipes for frequent cleaning, hand sanitizer, thermometer and fever-reducing medication such as ibuprofen to campus.

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

If you do become ill please follow these recommendations:

• If you have  H1N1/Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) – defined as fever equal to or greater than 100.0 plus a cough or sore throat, you are not to attend classes and must notify your professors and the Student Health Service by simply using the electronic  “Student H1N1 Report of Absence” Notification System www.stthomas.edu/pandemic/ili  or by calling 651.962.7425. (Your professors and the Student Health Service will be automatically notified after you complete this report of absence.) You will continue to be responsible for all course work.
• The Centers for Disease Control recommends if you haveH1N1/ILI that you should isolate yourself from others until at least 24 hours after you are free of a fever of greater than 100 °F without the use of fever-reducing medications. Isolation means staying at home, returning home, going to a relative or friend’s home if possible, or remaining in your residence hall room except to obtain medical care or other necessities. 
• All ill students are to avoid large group gatherings including classes, sporting events, work-out centers and public forms of transportation such as the campus shuttle bus.
• Contact Student Health Service at 651-962-6750 if your symptoms are severe or to determine if you should be seen for medical care. If you have any chronic medical problems such as asthma or diabetes or if you are pregnant, please contact Student Health Service at the beginning of your symptoms as you may be a candidate for antiviral medications. Be aware that most people with H1N1/ILI will improve without medical intervention.

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

Everyone hopes that the results of the influenza will be limited. Our commitment is to maintain a healthy St. Thomas community. We will remain attentive regarding any changes and will communicate any changes through the St. Thomas website www.stthomas.edu/pandemic . Remember to check this website periodically for any updates.

Please do not hesitate to contact the St. Thomas Student Health Services 651-962-6750 if you have any other questions. Have a healthy fall semester!

Sincerely,

  Jane Canney, Vice President for Student Affairs