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Influenza: An Update

Claremont Updates

Students, faculty or staff who live either on or off campus and who have influenza like illness (ILI) should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) in their dorm room or home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). They should keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.

Student Health Services has been contacted by the Pandemic Influenza Planning and Preparedness Unit Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. In order to be placed on the list of colleges and universities as potential recipients of a yet to be developed H1N1 vaccine we needed to meet the following 4 criteria:

  1. Take the lead in planning the school-based vaccination activity
  2. Provide all necessary staff
  3. Develop a mechanism for disseminating informational packets
  4. Plan the vaccination activities so that each student has the opportunity to receive the second dose a minimum of 4 weeks later

We have a commitment to follow the LA County Department of Public Health's procedures in accounting for every dose of vaccine received.

Availability of vaccines is still uncertain, projective date mid-October. We will also have flu kits available which include the following:

  • Acetaminophen
  • Thermometer
  • Hand Sanitizer wipes
  • Kleenex individual packs
  • Flu Info/Patient Info

Students, you can check with your school for availablity.

Flu clinic for seasonal flu will begain late October. If H1N1 vaccine becomes available, similar measures will be established. Individuals can and should received both the flu vaccine for the seasonal flu and (when available) the H1N1 vaccine.

The Student Health Services (SHS) is closely monitoring developments and is in contact with the Los Angeles County Public Health Department and is following their guidelines as well as those of the Center for Disease Control.

Because symptoms of this influenza do not differ significantly from the " regular" human flu, SHS has increased their level of monitoring students exhibiting signs of influenza.

If you have the following symptoms, individuals are advised to seek care:

  • Fever (100.4 F and higher)
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue

Students: Should report to Student Health Services, or after hours contact (909-607-2000) and ask to speak with the on-call healthcare provider.

Employees: If you have similar symptoms, please consult your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.

In your everyday campus lives, please use common sense, caution, and consideration to contain the spread of any contagious illness.

What to Do to Stay Healthy

  • Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods, manage stress, be physically active.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough into you sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • The Story Behind the Sleeve: CDC's Recommendation for Infectious Disease Control
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water (15-20 seconds) especially after you cough or sneeze. The virus also lives on inanimate objects, so wash your hands frequently after touching door handles, railing, keyboards, water faucets or other public objects. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Hand Hygiene: Handwashing & Hand Sanitizing
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Think carefully about nonessential travel.
  • Do not share cups or eating utensils.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Further information about this influenza can be obtained from the following websites: