Flu Preparedness & Response
Information for Students, Faculty, Staff and Families of Pacific Lutheran University
A message to students about the H1N1 Flu, sent on 9-11-09
With classes back in session this week, the campus community is once again fully engaged in teaching, learning and life outside the classroom. Unfortunately, health care professionals tell us that our routine could be disrupted this fall and winter due to an unusually difficult flu season. While it is likely the flu will be more widespread than usual, so far the symptoms have been mild and tend to last three to five days.
Please visit www.plu.edu/flu to read about the steps PLU is taking to help prevent the spread of the flu and to respond appropriately to those who become ill. To be successful in our prevention and response efforts, we need the help of the entire campus community.
1. You should adopt personal practices that will help prevent the spread of the flu. Read more at www.plu.edu/flu.
2. If you come down with an influenza-like illness (fever, cough, body aches, headache, chills, sore throat, loss of appetite, possible diarrhea and vomiting), get plenty of rest, drink clear fluids, and treat a fever with ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Find more information on treatment online at www.plu.edu/flu. Do not visit the Health Center. Questions or concerns should be directed to the Health Center by telephone or e-mail, 253-535-7337 health@plu.edu or contact your personal health care provider.
3. Do visit the Health Center or another health care provider if you have a medical condition that puts you at high-risk for flu complications or if you develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure or rapid breathing.
4. If possible, if you get the flu you should stay off campus with a family member or friend for the duration of the illness. If you have the flu and are staying on campus, you should self-isolate in your residence hall room and arrange for a “flu buddy” to help with care and meals (ill student meal information is available at www.plu.edu/~dining).
5. If you have an influenza-like illness you should notify your professors via e-mail and send a copy of your e-mail to flu@plu.edu.
6. Carry your health insurance card and 24/7 contact information for a health care provider so that personal medical guidance is available when needed.
For more information on the nature of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, preventing the spread of the flu, symptoms of the flu, caring for those who are ill and for online resources and information please visit www.plu.edu/flu.
Thank you in advance for helping with our flu preparedness and response activities.
A message to PLU Faculty, Staff, Administrators, sent on 9-11-09
With classes back in session this week, the campus community is once again fully engaged in teaching, learning and life outside the classroom. Unfortunately, health care professionals tell us that our routine could be disrupted this fall and winter due to an unusually difficult flu season. While it is likely the flu will be more widespread than usual, so far the symptoms have been mild and tend to last three to five days.
Please visit www.plu.edu/flu to read about the steps PLU is taking to help prevent the spread of the flu and to respond appropriately to those who become ill.
To be successful in our prevention and response efforts, we need the help of the entire campus community.
1. Please adopt personal practices that will help prevent the spread of the flu and encourage students to do so as well. Read more at www.plu.edu/flu.
2. If you come down with an influenza-like illness, you will find information on treatment online at www.plu.edu/flu. DO NOT visit your personal health care provider unless you have a medical condition that puts you at high-risk for flu complications or unless you develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure or rapid breathing.If you have questions or concerns, phone or e-mail your personnel heath care provider or call the Group Health 24-hour nurse line at 206-901-2244 or 800-297-6877 or the travel nurse line 800-562-6300 x3488. Please help us refer student questions or concerns to the Health Center by telephone or e-mail at 253-535-7337, health@plu.edu.
3. Employees who have flu symptoms should stay home for the duration of their illness. Because this flu is expected to spread rapidly, it may cause unusually low employee attendance at times. Offices are encouraged to have continuity plans in place to carry out essential functions, so that those who are ill can and do stay home. See this Web site for planning guidance: http://www.plu.edu/~emergenc/continuity-planning/home.html
4. Students are being asked to stay away from class, notify their professors by e-mail and self-isolate if they come down with an influenza-like illness. Faculty are encouraged to be flexible with attendance requirements to allow students to stay away for the duration of their illness. Please refer to the Educational Policies for Pandemic and Evacuation Emergencies.
For more information on the nature of the H1N1 virus (swine flu), preventing the spread of the flu, symptoms of the flu, caring for those who are ill and for online resources and information please visit www.plu.edu/flu.
Thank you in advance for helping with our flu preparedness and response activities.
A message to PLU Families and Parents, sent on 9-11-09
With classes back in session this week, the campus community is once again fully engaged in teaching, learning and life outside the classroom. Unfortunately, health care professionals tell us that our routine could be disrupted this fall and winter due to an unusually difficult flu season.
To be successful in our flu prevention and response efforts, we need your help. When you speak with your student, please reinforce the information that PLU has shared with them about the steps that they should take to help prevent the spread of the flu and to respond appropriately if they become ill. That information has been posted at www.plu.edu/flu. There, you will also find occasional updates.
Thank you in advance for your help in reinforcing with your student PLU’s flu preparedness and response activities.