Flu Precautions

September 30, 2009

Dear CHC and SBVC Faculty, Staff, and Managers:

As you may know, flu can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College for as long as possible, but, we need your help to accomplish this.

We are working closely with the San Bernardino County Health Department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institutions. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

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 also are 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.
• 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 s sweating or shivering, body Aches, cough, sore throat, headaches)
• 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). Don't go to class or work.
• Talk with your health care 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; people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes); people younger than 25-years-old; people caring for infants younger than 6-months-old; and health care providers. For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.
• Seasonal Vaccines are available at both student health centers. Call for an appointment. H1N1 will be available for high risk groups mid to late October.
• Flu Surveillance
  • If a student reports an Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), Faculty must notify the appropriate dean.
  • If a staff member reports an ILI, managers/supervisors must notify: 1) the Health & Wellness Center at CHC or Student Health Center at SBVC; and 2) the Vice President of Administrative Services.
  • If students who have symptoms wonder if they should come to campus, they should phone their student health center.
  • If staff have symptoms and wonder if they should come to campus they should contact their health care providers, or their providers' nurse line.

If this year's flu season becomes more severe, we may take the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

• Find ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in classrooms such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes, and using distance learning methods.
• Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay 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 sudden onset of fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
• Suspend classes. This decision will be made by district and college administration, together with local and state public health officials. Information about the duration of campus closure will be posted on the front page of the district and college web sites.

For the most up-to-date information on the flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO 232-4636), www.craftonhills.edu, www.valleycollege.edu, http://readsh101.com/abouth1n1.html . We will notify you by e-mail and college's websites of any additional changes to our strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus.

Sincerely,

Judy Giacona, CHC, Coordinator, Health & Wellness Center
Elaine, Akers, SBVC, Coordinator, Student Health Center