Nicolet College - H1N1 (Swine Flu) Update
Current Campus Alert
Nicolet College monitors swine flu developments; caution advised.
Swine Flu Update: May 1, 2009
Due to recent confirmed cases of Swine Flu in the United States and Mexico, the following additional guidance from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is being provided for all students, faculty and staff who may develop influenza-like illness (fever with either cough or sore throat).
Stopping the Flu is Up to You!
The flu is spread from person-to-person when someone who has the flu sneezes, coughs or even talks. The flu virus is put into the air and may be inhaled by anyone close by. Occasionally a person may become infected by touching something with the virus on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
To protect yourself and your family from the flu:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
- Avoid people who are ill!
- Stay home from work or school if you are sick. If your symptoms worsen, seek medical attention from your healthcare provider.
- Use tissues when you cough, sneeze or spit, and dispose of the tissues in a trash bin.
- Keep hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean shared space more often such as phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels and office equipment.
- Do not share personal items such as forks, spoons, toothbrushes and towels.
Important Note: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs can live for a long time (some can live for 2 hours or more) on surfaces like doorknobs, desks, and tables.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu usually starts suddenly and may include these symptoms:
- fever (usually high)
- extreme tiredness
- dry cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle aches
- stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, may occur in children but are rare in adults
Recommendations if you exhibit the above symptoms:
- If you develop influenza-like-illness (ILI) (fever with either cough or sore throat) you are strongly encouraged to self-isolate in your home for 7 days after the onset of illness or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer. Persons who experience ILI and wish to seek medical care should contact their health care providers to report illness (by telephone or other remote means) before seeking care at a clinic, physician's office, or hospital.
- If you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or feel you are severely ill, you should seek immediate medical attention.
- If ill persons must go into the community (e.g., to seek medical care) they should wear a face mask to reduce the risk of spreading the virus in the community when they cough, sneeze, talk or breathe. If a face mask is unavailable, ill persons needing to go into the community should use a handkerchief or tissues to cover any coughing.
- Individuals in home isolation and their household members should be given infection control instructions including frequent hand washing with soap and water. Use alcohol-based hand gels (containing at least 60% alcohol) when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. When the ill person is within 6 feet of others at home, the ill person should wear a face mask if one is available and the ill person is able to tolerate wearing it.
Contact With Others in the Household:
Household contacts who are well should:
- Remain home at the earliest sign of illness.
- Minimize contact in the community to the extent possible.
- If you reside with others, designate a single household member as the ill person's caregiver to minimize interactions with asymptomatic persons.
Nicolet College and Swine Flu
Nicolet College is working with local and national authorities to monitor the circumstances surrounding the swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (swine flu). Information will be posted on this page as available and as circumstances warrant.
Nicolet College Prepares - May 1, 2009
What is Nicolet College doing to keep students, staff, and faculty safe from the swine flu?
- Nicolet has in place a specific plan for dealing with pandemics such as swine flu.
- Our Safety Committee members have met to enact the plan and prepare should the flu begin to affect our region.
- Nicolet’s Safety Committee members are taking direction from the Oneida county health department regarding any required actions, should the flu be identified in our region.
How will Nicolet College alert its campus, community, and constituents if there is an issue in our local/regional area?
- Website: Check here for updates, links to authoritative resources, and links to local news.
- Email: Administration will communicate with the campus as necessary.
- Announcements: We will make announcements to large groups as necessary across campus.