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Dear Resident:
Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu) continues to be reported around the country. We are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at your community for as long as possible, but we need your help to accomplish this. Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). More information can be found at their website: http://www.cdc.gove/h1n1flu/
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work. Campus Advantage requests that if you live in the area, you relocate to your home using private transportation in order to lessen the exposure to other residents.
- Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
- Healthy Lifestyle: We also encourage you to engage in prevention through healthy habits. If your immune system works well, you are less likely to become severely ill. Drink plenty of water, get adequate rest, eat a balanced diet, and keep your stress level low.
Thank you for helping prevent the spread of influenza. Campus Advantage will continue to keep everyone informed of any new developments via this website where you can also find other useful information from your State Department of Health Services.
We will continue follow all recommendations of local and national health officials in preparing for and responding to the Swine Flu. If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of the management team at your community.
Sincerely,
Dan Oltersdorf
Vice President, Residence Life
Campus Advantage, Inc
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