As you may be aware, Wisconsin has experienced several thousand
confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza throughout the state. Northland
International University remains in close communication with the
Marinette Public Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control
and will take guidance from them to develop a plan to address the
health and safety of our community in the event of a significant
influenza outbreak.
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu
virus are similar to those of seasonal flu. Symptoms include the sudden
onset of a fever over 100° plus at least a cough or sore throat and
possibly a runny nose, fatigue, body aches, headache, and chills.
If you develop these symptoms you should:
- Call the Health Center (ext. 5300 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily) or visit a local physician’s office for testing.
- Return
to your permanent residence or parent’s home (without using public
transportation), keeping away from others as much as possible, until
free of fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Avoid travel except to get medical care or for other necessities.
- Avoid contact with others to reduce the spread of illness.
- Take non-aspirin fever-reducers (Tylenol, acetaminophen).
- Seek
medical attention if you have an underlying medical condition such as
asthma, diabetes, heart disease; difficulty breathing; or if symptoms
last for more than five days with no improvement.
To reduce the risk of any illness, including H1N1 influenza:
- Wash
your hands often and vigorously with warm soapy water for 20-30 seconds
or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer often, especially after using a
tissue.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm or sleeve; avoid using your hand.
- Do not share eating or drinking utensils with others.
- Avoid close contact with others who are ill.
- Get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids to keep from being dehydrated.
- Frequently
clean commonly touched surfaces (i.e., door knobs, light switches,
telephones, faucets, desks, keyboards, etc.).
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Wear a face mask when around anyone with symptoms.
To help safeguard the health and safety of our entire campus, Northland International University will:
- Educate faculty, staff, and students via health sessions and future web updates.
- Work
with the local public health department to offer seasonal influenza
vaccinations beginning in September/October. While there is currently
no vaccine against H1N1, if students, faculty, and staff are vaccinated
against the normal strains of influenza and still become ill, the
response to suspected H1N1 can be more targeted and timely.
- Post signs with information regarding hand-washing, covering coughs, and use of hand sanitizer across campus.
Additional information: