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FLU PREPAREDNESS

Many of you share the global concern about H1N1 flu, the new strain of influenza that began circulating last spring. While no one knows for certain how serious this winter's flu season will be, both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are expected. Hunter College is closely monitoring the information coming from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

There are some basic precautions we can all take to limit the spread of flu:

Wash your hands often with soapy water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Please take advantage of the hand sanitizer dispensers that are being installed around campus.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your arm when you sneeze or cough. Throw away all tissues in the trash after they're used.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth when possible. Avoid close contact with others who are ill.
If you have a fever and cough, stay home. You don't want to make yourself sicker, and you don't want to spread what might be the flu virus.
Take precautions when traveling in areas where the flu virus has been spreading rapidly.
If you have access to the influenza vaccine through your usual source of care, take advantage of it now and get your seasonal influenza vaccine. The sooner you get it, the better protected you are.

Information about how you can obtain a seasonal flu shot on campus will be posted to this page as soon as it becomes available.

Current students with questions about H1N1 or other strains of influenza can visit the Office of Health Services in Room 307 North or call (212) 772-4800. For additional information, links to outside resources are available at the bottom of this page.

Thank you for your assistance in protecting yourself and the collective health of our campus community during the upcoming flu season.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is H1N1?
H1N1 flu (also known as swine flu) is caused by a virus similar to regular (seasonal) flu. The illness can cause a cough, sore throat, tiredness, aches, chills and a stuffy nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1?
Similar to a regular (seasonal) flu, symptoms of H1N1 include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. In some cases, diarrhea and vomiting have been reported. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported in conjunction with swine flu infection. Like seasonal flu, swine flu (H1N1) may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

How is H1N1 different from seasonal flu?
H1N1 is a new strain of seasonal flu that many people have little or no resistance to. The people most at risk for H1N1 are pregnant women, children under 5, and people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and lung disease. In addition to the typical flu symptoms of fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue, people infected with H1N1 have also experienced diarrhea and vomiting. It is important that everyone get a seasonal flu shot once a year, and an H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available.

How can I protect myself and others from H1N1?
Preventive hygiene is the suggested method of protecting yourself, especially after eating, shaking hands, or touching phones, computer keyboards, or other shared devices. We suggest you adhere to the following guidelines:

Do not get too close to people who are sick.
If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, avoid contact with other people.
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

In addition, an influenza vaccine is available. For more information about obtaining the vaccine, please consult your primary care physician.

Am I at risk for H1N1?
Like other strains of influenza, H1N1 can be contracted by being in close contact with a person who is currently infected. The flu can be transmitted as early as one day before symptoms develop, so people who have the flu may be able to spread it before showing symptoms.

What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms?

Stay home from school or work until your symptoms are gone and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours.
Most people who become ill will fully recover within a week and do not require medical attention. However, if you are over 65, are pregnant, or have long-term health problems such as asthma or diabetes, call your health care provider to see if you need medication.

When do I need medicine for the flu?
Most people recover without medication, but if you are over 65, pregnant, or have a long-term health condition such as asthma or diabetes, call your health care provider right away to see if you need medication.

When should I go to an emergency room?
You do not need to go to an emergency room unless you have severe symptoms, including:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (rapid breathing in children)
Bluish skin color
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Fever accompanied by a rash
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting

What are some on-campus resources available for ill students?
Students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact the Office of Health Services in Room 307 North or call (212) 772-4800. A nurse practitioner or staff member will speak to you about seeking the appropriate care.

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Guidance for Staff and Faculty

As you are aware, colleges and universities across the country are approaching this year’s influenza season with additional caution and concern. A flu task force at Hunter is guiding us through the season and includes the participation of the Offices of the President, Provost, Chief Operating Officer, and Student Services. We are fortunate to be guided in this effort by outstanding leaders in the health professions, including Acting School of Nursing Dean Kristine Gebbie, former Public Health Commissioner in the states of Washington and Oregon, and Distinguished Lecturer Neal Cohen, former Commissioner of Health for New York City.

We hope that any flu outbreak will not require radical changes to your teaching this fall, but in consideration of what may come we believe that it is prudent to begin planning for all possibilities. Below are answers to some questions that may help you respond to these health-related challenges.

What accommodations regarding attendance should I make for students and staff with the flu?
To date CUNY has not created separate policies for students, staff and faculty who contract the flu. If any of your students or staff develop flu-like symptoms, you should ask them to stay home and refer them to Health Services or their usual health provider. The CDC recommends that a person stay home until s/he has been free of fever, without the assistance of fever-reducing medication like Tylenol or Motrin, for at least 24 hours. In most cases, this will mean an absence of three to five days. We encourage faculty to accommodate students who cannot attend class because they have contracted the flu, and trust that supervisors will afford due consideration for staff who cannot report to work during this period of illness. If you have any questions about student attendance issues, or notice a sudden increase in absences, please contact Patrice Glenn, Assistant to the Associate Dean of Student Support Services in the Dean of Students Office, at extension (212) 650-3281 or via email at patrice.glenn@hunter.cuny.edu.

What should I do if I come down with the flu?
Follow the CDC guidelines above, and ensure that you maintain phone and/or email contact with your supervisor and/or students.

How can I use technology to minimize course disruption?
Faculty should consider communicating via phone or email when holding office hours is problematic. Prepare a communication strategy for emergency updates. Use Blackboard to quickly post and access course materials. Blackboard has seen increased usage on campus this semester, and has been running smoothly and performing well. You may want to use Blackboard to post your PowerPoint slides and/or lecture notes, use the discussion board to hold class sessions, accept and return homework assignments, utilize the virtual classroom and chat room, conduct online quizzes, and send email to individual students or the entire class.

How can I stay informed of updates related to the flu season?
Visit this web page frequently. We'll post all pertinent information as soon as it becomes available.

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