WSC -Student Health Services is continuing to monitor H1N1 Influenza activity in Massachusetts and on campus. WSC does not have any confirmed cases of H1N1 flu, as WSC is not testing for H1N1 because Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends we do not test.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, as of November 12, 2009, 1659 confirmed cases of H1N1 Influenza have been reported throughout Massachusetts (as of 11/5/09, there were 1555 cases). Also, at this time, health care providers in Massachusetts and WSC-Student Health Services, are beginning to see an increase in the amount of patient visits to their offices, for Influenza-Like Illnesses. As of 11/13/09, SHS has seen 16 cases of Influenza-Like Illness and has received 25 telephone/online reports of influenza-like illness since 8/31/09.
WSC-Student Health Services has updated their webpage with a link to printable Flu educational materials for faculty and staff These educational materials can be reproduced by faculty or staff members for student use. In addition, there is a new link to Massachusetts DPH flu vaccine clinics in Massachusetts. Also, available on the WSC home page, YouTube link, there are videos from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health FluFacts campaign.
FluFacts: What You Need To Know, www.mass.gov/dph/flu
Student Health Services is awaiting additional shipment of doses of the Seasonal Flu vaccine. When this additional Seasonal Flu vaccine is received, additional flu vaccine clinics will be scheduled for all students. Student Health Services will notify students of these dates.
SHS has also registered with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a provider of H1N1 Influenza vaccine. Again, once SHS receives this vaccine, students will be notified of the dates of H1N1 Influenza vaccine clinics.
Reminder:
If you have an influenza-like illness (fever > 100 degrees F and cough/or sore throat), please call Student Health Services at 508-929-8875, to report your illness. Certain groups of people( people with weak immune systems, chronic medical conditions or pregnant) may need antiviral treatment for an influenza-like illness or for exposure to an influenza-like illness, your doctor or Student Health Services can assist you in determining if you need treatment. In addition, you should remain home from school/work until at least 24 hours after your fever(less than 100 degrees F) is gone(your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine).
Refer to WSC Student Health Services webpage for additional H1N1 Influenza information. An online Influenza Illness Reporting Form has been added to the webpage, if you are ill, with an influenza-like illness as described above, you can use this form to report your illness to Student Health Services.
To report your/or another individual’s influenza illness at WSC click here.
Protect yourself from getting sick:
o Get vaccinated when the Seasonal Flu vaccine and H1N1 Flu vaccine becomes available, especially, if you have a medical condition which makes health complications from the flu more likely.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel.
o Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
o Always wash your hands before you touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
o Use a regular household cleaner to clean surfaces that might get flu virus on them like door Knobs, phones, faucets.