H1N1 (Swine) Flu Planning
As the H1N1 flu continues to spread around the world, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) expects case counts to rise both in the United States and our local area. This increases the likelihood that members of the college community could be exposed to someone with H1N1 flu, as the disease spreads nationally. There have been confirmed cases in all states.
Central Bible College currently has one reported H1N1 flu case.
Central Bible College’s Response to H1N1 (Swine) FluCentral Bible College will follow state and national guidelines for preventions, advising, and self-isolation of campus community with influenza-like symptoms.
Central Bible College will educate campus community about how to prevent the spread of the flu on campus. Please contact the Counseling and Wellness Center at ext. 1173 for more information.
The Counseling and Wellness staff will work closely with local and state health authorities to stay informed regarding new developments and recommendations related to the H1N1 flu. Campus wide updates will be provided to the community regarding new information with the H1N1 flu.
Prevention Good Health Practices
- Get adequate sleep
- Reduce stress
- Stay physically active
- Choose nutritious foods and drink plenty of water
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water
- Maintain clean work and living quarters, with importance placed on high-touch surfaces.
Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
- Avoid or limit contact with others
H1N1 (Swine) Flu VaccineA vaccine to prevent H1N1 flu is not currently available; however a vaccine is expected to be available in October. The Counseling and Wellness Center will update the community with new developments and dates for the H1N1 flu vaccine.
Symptoms of H1N1 (Swine) Flu and When to See a DoctorSymptoms
H1N1 flu symptoms are similar to other flu strains.
Fever
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Body Aches
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Fatigue
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Cough
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Headache
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Diarrhea
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| Sore Throat |
Chills |
Vomiting |
H1N1 flu develops three to five days after a person is exposed to the virus and continues for about eight days. H1N1 flu starts one day before symptoms appear and continues until full recovery.
When to see a doctor
Individuals should see a doctor immediately if:
- They begin experiencing the above symptoms and have traveled to an area where cases of H1N1 flu have been reported. Individuals should inform their doctor of the location and dates of their travels.
- They develop what appear to be H1N1 flu symptoms after being in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed or exposed to the H1N1 flu.
Doctors do not have a fast method to differentiate between H1N1 and other influenza A subtypes.
Considerations for high-risk Individuals
- Individuals at high risk for flu complications who become ill with flu-like symptoms should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medications often can prevent hospitalizations.
- Individuals who are at higher risk of complications from flu if they become ill include those:
- Age 65 or older
- Who are pregnant
- Who have asthma, other chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
- With immunosuppressant (including immunosuppressant caused by medications or by HIV)
Guidelines for Students with Flu-like SymptomsResidential
- Students with flu-like symptoms should not attend classes, events, and limit interactions with other people even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm.
- Students should contact their Resident Director if they have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu by a medical professional. Their Resident Director will then contact the Counseling and Wellness Center.
- Students are encouraged to return to campus only after they are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Students with a private room should remain in their room and receive care and meals from a designated person.
- Bathrooms used by a student with the H1N1 flu should be cleaned after each use.
- For students who are unable to leave campus, or who do not have a private room, CBC will provide temporary housing on Flower Second East for males and Bowie Fifth West for females, until 24 hours after the student is free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Non-Residential students with flu-like symptoms
- Students with flu-like symptoms should not attend classes, events, and limit interactions with other people even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu. For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm.
- Students should contact the Counseling and Wellness Center if they have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu by a medical professional.
- Students are encouraged to return to campus only after they are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Guidelines for Staff, Faculty, and Administration with Flu-like Symptoms
- Employees with known or suspected pandemic influenza should not remain on campus and are encouraged to stay home except to talk with a health care provider about whether they have flu, appropriate treatment, and what actions to take if they have severe symptoms.
- Employees are encouraged to contact their supervisor if they have been diagnosed with H1N1 flu by a medical professional. Their supervisors will then contact the Counseling and Wellness Center.
- Employees should return to campus only after they are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- If an employee finds it necessary to stay home due to H1N1 related sickness and has exhausted all available and applicable paid leave time, there will be no negative repercussions as the employee’s and campus family’s health and safety is CBC’s greatest concern.