Public Health Alerts

FLU

The most critical steps to mitigating the effects of 2009 Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu will take place in your home, on campus and in our community.

Taking precautions for this fall's flu season is a responsibility we all share. Visit http://www.flu.gov/ to make sure you are ready.

National Public Health Agencies are making every effort to produce a safe and effective vaccine available for distribution as soon as possible. This makes individual prevention even more critical. Wash your hands regularly. Take the necessary precautions to stay healthy and if you do get sick, stay home from work or school.

Auraria Campus Flu Information

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Schedule and Information for Auraria

State H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic Locator Website

State Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic Locator Website

Flu Education Flyers

Flu Facts and Faculty Considerations

WHO Is Required To Get A FLU Shot?
No one is “required” to receive a flu shot. However, it is recommended that anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu should get vaccinated (excluding those with medical contraindications).

WHAT Groups Are Considered To Be At High Risk?

For Traditional or Seasonal Flu: Individuals who are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, chronic heart, liver, lung or blood disorders; HIV, cancer and others), patients that are high risk due to age (AGE SIX MONTHS TO 18 YEARS AND AGE 50 OR OLDER). In addition, all students living in any campus housing units, health care and essential community service personnel.

For H1N1 Flu: Individuals who are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, chronic heart, liver, lung or blood disorders; HIV, cancer and others), patients that are high risk due to age (UNDER THE AGE OF 25). In addition, preschool and school age children with health conditions, parents or caregivers of young children (younger than 6 months), all students living in any campus housing units, health care and essential community service personnel.

HOW Is The FLU Spread?
The flu usually spreads from person to person in respiratory droplets when people who are infected cough or sneeze. People occasionally may become infected by touching something with influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

WHAT Precautionary Procedures Should Be Utilized?

1. Cover your cough by coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
2. If you think you have the flu you should self-isolate at home, except to seek medical care.
   Wash your hands often. Open restroom doors with a towel or use the automatic door opener.
3. Carry hand sanitizer and use it when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water.
4. Don’t share personal items (liquid containers, drinking glasses, eating utensils, toothbrush, etc.)

WHAT Items Should Be Included In A First Aid Kit For FLU?

You should consider the following items: 1.) Thermometer, 2.) Fever reducing medication like Tylenol or Advil and any maintenance medications you take, 3.) Throat lozenges 4.) Fluids for hydrating such as Gatorade and bottled water, 5.) Tissues and a trash can near bed, 6.) List of important medical and personal phone numbers, 7.) Hand sanitizer (minimum 60% alcohol) for yourself and caregivers.

WHAT Are The Signs And Symptoms Of FLU?

Signs and Symptoms: fever greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Some may experience diarrhea and vomiting. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with underlying medical conditions.

HOW Long Does The FLU Normally Last If I Get It?

Typically the flu lasts between 3-5 days, with some individuals exceeding this range, contingent on their body’s immune system and any other inherent medical conditions. In most instances, students will be able to continue their academic pursuits after a short absence.

HOW Long After Getting The FLU Are People Still Contagious?

Recently updated information indicates that once ill, you could be contagious for several days after your fever has resolved. Realistically, this type of extended isolation may not be reasonable or possible. However, at a minimum you should stay out of class and social situations until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.

WHAT Is The Cost Of A FLU Shot And WHEN Are They Available?

For Seasonal Flu Shots – Requires One (1) Shot
Cost: Community costs range from $20-$30.
Availability: The Health Center at Auraria has dispensed all of its seasonal vaccine. Go to http://www.immunizecolorado.com/ for flu clinics.


For H1N1 Flu Shots – Requires One (1) Shot
(*As of 09/16/09 - Requirement is subject to change)

Cost: No Charge for On-Campus H1N1 shots; Community costs will range from
no charge upward, contingent on which facility is administering the shot.

Availability: To be determined, once the Federal Government distributes the vaccine in mid-October to early November.

WHEN Common FLU Symptoms Develop, WHY Is It That Medical Facilities Are Suggesting Individuals Simply Stay Home, Without Seeing A Doctor?

One consideration is that given the anticipated number of occurrences, medical facilities would be overwhelmed and could not keep pace. In addition, it is an attempt to contain the spread of the flu and limit exposure to others being seen in medical facilities that may have medical conditions that could be severely compromised if they were to acquire the flu.

However, it is important to note that individuals who are pregnant or who have chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, chronic heart, liver, lung or blood disorders; HIV, cancer and others) should not hesitate to contact a health care provider if they have any reason to believe their flu symptoms are impacting their other medical conditions. It is important to understand that individuals who develop complications from the flu do so not because of the flu itself, but because of secondary medical issues exacerbated by the flu. If in doubt, it is best to error on the side of caution by contacting your medical provider to discuss your concerns.

WHAT Considerations Should Faculty Anticipate?

• Class Attendance Policy - Adjustments may need to be considered given the universal recommendation that those who develop symptoms should stay home and not expose others.
• Medical Notes for Class Absences - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities are encouraging workplace and schools to have relaxed policies regarding absences for illnesses during the H1N1 season. Specifically, they are recommending illness to be excused without medical notes. Persons with flu symptoms are encouraged to stay home and not seek medical care unless they have unusual complications or risk factors.
• Reported Cases of H1N1 - If faculty are informed that one of their students has the flu (seasonal or H1N1) there is no need for faculty to alert other class members of possible exposure, since exposure is anticipated to be widespread/prevalent throughout the State and community at large.
• Distance Learning Options - Consider options for students to complete the required course work on line, by submitting assignments by mail, posting lectures to the Internet for students to access, and any other course adjustments that would enable the successful completion of course requirements when attendance is severely impacted.
• Faculty Illness or Faculty Family Illness - Consider how the options mentioned above may apply if the course instructor is absent for either brief periods or extended time periods.
• Response to Ill Students Attending Class - If a student is visibly ill, a faculty member could discreetly meet with the student who appears ill. They could offer options for completing course assignments and for attaining lecture notes if in fact the student states they are ill. Refer to the widely published recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control that directs individuals with flu-like symptoms to stay home until their condition is improved.
• Lead Class Discussion - Faculty should consider being pro-active and taking 15 minutes to discuss flu related topics with their class. Include precautionary procedures, implications for the course, absences, communication and any other contingencies faculty consider relevant.
• Questions Faculty May Have - Call the Health Center at Auraria at 303-556-2525 and ask to speak to either Steve Monaco or Martha Eaton. They will be happy to assist with any specific questions you may have.

Public Health Response

The Auraria Campus has one centralized medical facility, the Health Center at Auraria, which is located in the Plaza Building, room 150. The Health Center at Auraria is a Tri-Institutional agency that provides health services for Metropolitan State College of Denver, University of Colorado Denver, Community College of Denver and AHEC personnel on the Auraria Campus. Given the unique nature of this Tri-Institutional campus, when public health issues arise it is the Health Center at Auraria who is called upon to respond and implementing a medical response on behalf of all Auraria institutions. The Health Center coordinates and works closely with administrative officials of each of the institutions to ensure synergy of response and to provide the clinical expertise often needed to make
operational decisions. As an example, it is the Health Center at Auraria’s medical personnel and administration that develops, implements and provides the primary medical strategies, interventions and educational campaigns for responding to public health concerns. As such, the Health Center at Auraria’s response includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Develops medical response that is provided to the Public Information Officers (PIO’s) of all institutions for distribution. Collaborates with PIO’s in the development of external messaging to ensure the correct clinical components are articulated appropriately.
• Develops and provides web-site content for public health concerns. Maintains the Health Center at Auraria web-site as a public health source of information for the campus which can be linked to by Auraria institutions from their individual home pages. Provides links to CDC and other official medical resources.
• Develops and implements plan of action for administration of vaccine, immunizations and/or other treatment protocols.
• Purchases/orders vaccine/supplies and submits all official paperwork for attainment of such resources from the appropriate private, state and federal agencies. Purchases the appropriate refrigeration necessary for medications, vaccines and immunization supplies and ensures that automated alarm systems are tied into the campus police in the case of a power outage.
• Purchases/hires associated temporary personnel to ensure adequate staffing for each occurrence.
• Purchases protective supplies such as masks, gowns, sanitizer, equipment, etc. Shares supplies with the campus community; amounts distributed are contingent on available resources; provides purchasing information for institutions who wish to purchase additional supplies.
• Develops and has installed appropriate computer connectivity for satellite distribution locations.
• Develops and maintains phone messaging system and content for incoming questions.
• Provides clinical expertise to the Auraria Executive Committee (AEC) and other associated campus committees with regards to all public health concerns; outlines how the Health Center at Auraria will respond and what clinical considerations are relevant for each particular set of circumstances.
• Establishes protocols and contingencies for all phases of managing the medical response for campus constituents; trains medical personnel on clinical intervention strategies.
• The Health Center personnel work closely with academic departments of all institutions to communicate with students/faculty in classes where exposure to a communicable disease may have taken place; outlines potential risk, mitigation strategies and necessary precautions.
• Develops and distributes educational and marketing materials to the campus community; develops e-mail messages that are sent to all institutions for mass distribution to constituents.
• Maintains disease surveillance and monitoring. Reports data to the State as requested.
• Serves as the Auraria campus liaison with public health officials and departments, coordinating public health response and medical interventions for the three colleges.
• Communicates all communicable disease occurrences to the each of the institutions regardless of which schools student, faculty or staff may be involved. Protocol is to communicate with the identified administrators within Student Services.