As cases of flu are on the rise, so are concerns among the Metro State community about how to minimize its spread and impact. The Health Center at Auraria has issued guidelines for faculty and staff on dealing with flu.

“There’s been a lot of confusion about ‘confirmed’ cases of H1N1 (formerly called swine flu),” says Steve Monaco, director of the health center. Assistant Director Martha Eaton added that the health center—and most medical facilities – are generally not testing specifically for the H1N1 strain (formerly known as swine flu), but rather for influenza-like illness, or ILI. Last week, the health center diagnosed 17 new cases of influenza-like illness.

“The flu can be more serious for people with chronic conditions, and those at high risk,” says Monaco. “We don’t want to create undue alarm, but everyone should be aware of potential warning signs that would warrant seeking immediate medical attention. These include: fever that won’t go away, difficulty breathing, chest pain and severe dehydration.”

Considerations for faculty
Faculty and staff have been getting – and asking – many questions about the flu and how to address what they’re seeing in classrooms, says Monaco. To address these, the health center has developed a FluFactSheet.

Among the primary questions being asked, according to Monaco, is “What do I need to announce to the class if a student tells me he has H1N1?”

“The answer, quite honestly, is nothing,” Monaco says. “The primary thing that people can do is exercise preventative measures, such as hand washing, and, if they get sick, to stay home and not seek medical care unless they have unusual complications or risk factors.

“The considerations for faculty are very important,” Monaco adds. “For instance, we are recommending that faculty not ask for a doctor’s note from their students who have been absent, as that runs contradictory to the recommendation that if you’re sick with flu you should self-isolate at home.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is updating its recommendations regarding the flu continuously. As of today, according to Monaco, the anticipated recommendation from the CDC is that people receive only one shot of the H1N1 vaccine, rather than the two originally recommended. To keep abreast of the most current information, go to the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or the Health Center at Auraria Web site at http://www.mscd.edu/healthcenter/health_alerts/index.shtml.

To prepare for what to do in the event of a flu pandemic, the Metro State Task Force for Pandemic Planning, which has been meeting since spring, is developing a pandemic plan for the College. The plan is 90 percent finished, according to Monaco, who hopes to have a completed plan in place by mid-October.

Seasonal flu shots now available on campus
Immunizations against seasonal flu will be given on campus this Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 23 and 24 and Monday, Sept. 28, contingent on vaccine supply. Hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. The shots will be administered outside the health center in Plaza 150, and the cost is$20.

H1N1 flu shots available after mid-October
The H1N1 flu shots are expected to be released by the federal government in mid-October. Note that as of last week, the vaccination will require only one shot, not two, as previously stated. There will be no charge for on-campus H1N1 shots.

Basic facts about influenza
How the flu spreads
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.

Precautionary procedures
• Cover your cough by coughing or sneezing into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• 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.
• Carry hand sanitizer and use it when you cannot wash your hands with soap and water.
• Don’t share personal items (liquid containers, drinking glasses, eating utensils, toothbrush, etc.)

Medical notes for class absences
The CDC 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 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.

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.

Faculty response to sick students attending class
If a student is visibly ill, a faculty member can discreetly meet with that student and offer options for completing course assignments and for attaining lecture notes if in fact the student states they are ill.

Groups 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 (six months to 18 years and age 50 or older). In addition, all students living in any campus housing units, healthcare and essential community service personnel.

For H1N1 Flu: Individuals who are pregnant, have chronic medical conditions such as those listed above, and patients who are high risk due to age (under 25). In addition, all students living in any campus housing units, and health care and essential community service personnel.