Influenza Guidelines for Students, from Vice President Greg Krikorian

If you are a current LVC student and have symptoms you feel may be associated with H1N1, and you are able, please call the Shroyer Health Center at 717-867-6232 with the following information: Name; best number to contact you; name of residence hall if resident; and, symptoms.

All of the following guidelines are based on the assumption that there will be no widespread campus shutdowns or closures. In the event of a wide-spread illness that impacts the normal functioning of the College, we will use the College’s Critical Incident Team to make appropriate decisions through working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC.

Student Life FAQs

Is there a general policy statement on how the College will handle an outbreak if one occurs?
The College follows current guidelines available from the Centers for Disease Control to establish college-specific policies for response to flu conditions.

How will students who are sick be isolated from healthy students? What do I do if my roommate shows symptoms?
Ill students will be encouraged to recuperate at home. If your roommate is not seriously ill, you should suggest that he/she wear a mask when others are present in the room, dispose of tissues in a separate trash can or plastic bag, wipe solid surfaces with a disinfectant (desks, computer equipment, phone, doors, door knobs, etc.).

Will the fitness center, gym, and pool remain open?
Yes

Will the College require me to go home if I have the flu?
Students with flu symptoms who live within a reasonable distance from the College will be encouraged to travel home (by private car). This practice will limit the spread of the flu and maximize the student’s opportunity for a quick recovery. According to the CDC, “if flu severity increases, students at higher risk for flu complications including students and employees with certain chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or asthma, or who are pregnant may consider staying home while flu transmission is high in their institution community. Currently, the CDC is not recommending removing healthy students from their institutions."

What is self-isolation?
According to the CDC “Self-isolation is when sick people stay home and away from other people until they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). During the period of self-isolation, sick people should limit contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask when they are around other people, if they can tolerate it.

During current flu conditions, people who are sick should stay home and away from other people until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. If flu conditions become more severe, those who are sick should stay at their home, dormitory, or residence hall for at least 7 days, even if symptoms go away sooner. People who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away.”

What steps should I take if my roommate is sick with the flu?
You should limit your contact with your sick roommate and try to maintain a distance of 6 feet from him/her. If close contact cannot be avoided, your sick roommate should wear a surgical mask, when he or she is around you and other people. Surgical masks are available from your Area Coordinator. You should frequently clean commonly-touched surfaces.

You should dispose of tissues in a separate plastic trash bag. Do not share toiletries, cosmetics, towels, or other personal items with your roommate. If you share a kitchen, separate the sick student’s dishes and utensils from your own. Wash dishes in hot soapy water. Encourage your roommate to check-in with Student Health.

Sick people should stay at home or in their residence, except to go to the health care provider’s office, and they should avoid contact with others. Keeping people with a fever at home may reduce the number of people who get infected with the flu virus. Because high body temperatures are linked with higher amounts of virus, people with a fever may be more contagious.

What does suspending classes mean during a flu outbreak?
When classes are suspended at institutions, they are temporarily discontinued to slow or decrease the spread of flu. Institutions may choose to keep offices open for employees; however, students are directed to stay at home or in their residence. The Emergency Management Group will closely monitor the number students and employees who are ill and determine if classes should be suspended. It is impossible to determine the timing or duration of any health related suspension.

What is H1N1?
H1N1, referred to by the Center for Disease Control as Novel H1N1 Flu, is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

This year the College will be faced with both the seasonal influenza as well as the novel H1N1 (Swine) influenza A. Both are similar in symptoms and treatment.

Both are a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus. Once it starts to spread, up to HALF the people in the community can become infected. Flu epidemics usually last from 4 to 6 weeks. The novel H1N1 is expected to arrive in waves.

How does novel H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something—such as a surface or object—with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Chills
  • Fatigue
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

How can you catch it?
The virus is easily spread from person to person by direct and indirect contact.

Direct—When an infected person coughs or sneezes, droplets are released into the air.

Indirect—When an infected person uses towels, glasses, telephones, etc. and you use these items that are infected with the virus.

An infected person can spread the flu for about a week following the beginning of the first symptoms. Symptoms can appear 1 to 4 days after exposure. The severity depends on the virus and the individual.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu can spread the virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.

When should I seek medical help?

  1. If you have a chronic medical condition it is important that you see doctor at the earliest signs of symptoms;
  2. If you have a very high fever >101 degrees;
  3. If your cough produces sputum (phlegm) and/or is keeping you up at night despite taking medication;
  4. Shortness of breath or chest tightness/pain; or,
  5. Anti-viral medications are recommended for hospitalized patients with confirmed, probable, or suspected novel influenza (H1N1) and persons who have underlying medical conditions or are at risk for seasonal influenza complications.

How can I prevent it?

  • Cover your cough or cough in your sleeve
  • Frequent hand washing
  • Place infected tissues in a paper bag and change bag frequently
  • Avoid rubbing your eyes or touching your nose or mouth
  • Avoid contact with persons who are sick and wash your hands after suspected contact
  • If you get sick stay home from work or school and limit contact with others
Keep up your resistance.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet
  • Get plenty of sleep
  • Avoid stress, it lowers your resistance
  • Exercise regularly
  • Don't smoke, it damages air passages making them more vulnerable to the virus
  • Keep indoor humidity up, low humidity dries out nasal passages

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick? Is there a vaccination?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against novel H1N1 virus. However, a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, a vaccine will be available to protect against seasonal influenza.

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Other important actions that you can take are:

  • Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
  • Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands—with soap and warm water—that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn't need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with novel H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting, or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.

If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider, seek medical care, or contact the Shroyer Health Center. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.

What steps should I take if my roommate is sick with the flu?

  • You should limit your contact with your sick roommate and try to maintain a distance of 6 feet from him or her.
  • If close contact cannot be avoided, your sick roommate should wear a surgical mask, if tolerable, when he or she is around you and other people.
  • You should frequently clean commonly-touched surfaces.

The CDC is asking that those individuals who experience mild, flu-like symptoms to stay home. However, if you feel your symptoms worsen or become severe, call ext. 6232 or visit the Shroyer Health Center.

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