Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Update on Novel H1N1 Influenza

Ready or not, here it comes.
Honestly, though, from all the media hype I would have thought that the symptoms would be much more severe!
(It's not that I want to get it or anything, though!)

Date: Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 1:34 AM
Subject: MASSMAIL - Update on Novel H1N1 Influenza
To: All Faculty & All Academic Professionals & All Civil Service Staff & All Undergrad Students & All Grad Students <everybody@illinois.edu>

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

I write to offer an update on the Novel H1N1 Influenza affecting our
campus. To date, we have reported more than 250 suspected cases of Novel
H1N1 flu - sometimes called swine flu - at the Urbana campus, and we
expect that number to increase in the coming weeks. So far, many cases
have been relatively mild, with fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches
being the primary symptoms.

To reduce your risk of catching even a mild case of the flu, please
remember to wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose when you
cough or sneeze and avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and other
items. If you get the flu, isolate yourself until you have been free of
fever without the aid of fever-reducing medicine for at least 24 hours. If
you are a student, consider contacting your parents and arrange to
recuperate at your permanent home.

Come to McKinley if you have suspected influenza and also have an
underlying illness, such as diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, or asthma, or if
you are pregnant. If you feel that you've started to recover from
influenza and your fever returns, you also should seek medical attention.
Most other students with influenza will be able to manage without medical
assistance. We will document your illness if you call the 24/7 Dial-a-
Nurse (217-333-2700) or visit McKinley.

Other members of the campus community who experience flu-like symptoms
should contact their family physician.

In efforts to prevent the spread of either Novel H1N1 and of seasonal flu,
I recommend that you consider getting vaccinated for both types of flu
this fall. The shot for seasonal flu will be available soon at McKinley or
from your personal physician. Check the McKinley Web site for more
information about availability of the flu vaccine. A Novel H1N1 vaccine is
expected to be ready in late October or November, and McKinley plans to
offer it to students, faculty, and staff in accordance with priorities
established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information on Novel H1N1 and how you can protect yourself from
it, visit: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/general/news/h1n1_update.htm.

Warm regards,

Dr. Robert Palinkas
Director, McKinley Health Center


This mailing approved by:
The Office of the Chancellor

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