NOTICE
To: Students, Faculty, Staff and Friends of AUM
From: Darlene Robertson, Vice President of Student Services
Re: Influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu)
Dear Antioch Midwest Community,
As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Also, as fall quarter begins we have an increased number of students on campus. With this in mind we would like you to join us in preventing the spread of influenza at Antioch University Midwest, but we need your help to accomplish this.
We are working closely with the Greene County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning the health of the community of AUM. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us. If you would like information directly from the Health Department you can call the Greene County Flu Hotline at 937-374-5657.
For now, we are doing everything we can to keep our institution operating as usual. Here are a few things you can do to help:
- Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
- Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live with others you should frequently clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles and bathroom areas.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
- If you are a student diagnosed with H1N1 please call our main number 937-769-1800 and let us know what program and classes you are registered for. This will allow us to make accommodations for you, your instructor and your classmates. If after hours, please leave a voice message.
- Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Do not go to class or work.
- Talk with your healthcare providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccinationa/acip.thm.
If this year’s flu season becomes more severe, we may take the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:
- Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home. These students, faculty and staff should make this decision in consultation with their healthcare provider.
- Find ways to increase social distances (the spaces between people) in classrooms such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes and using distance learning methods. Please make certain that you have availed yourself of adequate technology training.
- Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stays home or in their residence. During severe flu conditions sick people should stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. Those who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flue can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
- Suspend classes. This decision will be made together with local and state public health officials. The length of time classes should be suspended will depend on the goal of suspending classes as well as the severity and extent of illness.
For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).
We will notify you by your Antioch University Midwest email account or at midwest.antioch.edu of any additional changes to AUM’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.
Sincerely,
Darlene L. Robertson, M.A.
Vice President
Student Services
