H1N1 Information

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November 2, 2009

H1N1 vaccination clinic for VU students is Nov. 3

VINCENNES, IND. - An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be offered to VincennesUniversity students on Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (or until all vaccine is given) in VU’s Beckes Student Union, Fort Sackville Room 1.

“We have a limited number of vaccinations and we must follow the priority guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Board of Health for administration of the vaccine.  We will be offering additional H1N1 vaccination clinics as soon as we receive additional doses from the County Board of Health,” said Peggy Milligan, coordinator of the VU Student Health Center.

Recommended initial priority groups include:  pregnant women, household/caregivers of babies under 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25-64 who have high-risk medical conditions.

http://www.flu.gov

October 28, 2009

Many of our Health Watch Wednesday messages have been centered on the flu and information from the Center for Disease Control. This week, the CDC offers a little seasonal fun with preventive health tips that may not always be top of mind.

Halloween Germ Monsters

This Halloween, don't let germs make you sick. Take steps to keep the germ monsters away.


Germs can be scary if they make you sick. Follow these tips to protect yourself from the germ monsters this Halloween and all year long.

                 Halloween and monsters go hand in hand,
              Germ monsters are the worst ones in the land,
                 They make you sick, they make you ill,
            But wash your hands, and they run for the hills.

Take steps to prevent the flu.

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year in the fall.

Have a safe and healthy Halloween.

Make Halloween festivities fun, safe, and healthy for trick-or-treaters and party guests.

Get smart about antibiotics.

Using antibiotics when they are not needed causes some bacteria to become resistant to the antibiotic, and therefore stronger and harder to kill. See your doctor or nurse to find out if your illness is bacterial or viral.

Keep food safe.

Follow the basic food safety steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Be prepared for cold weather.

Know how to prevent health problems and what to do if a cold-weather
emergency arises.

Wash your hands.

It's best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. If that's not possible, use alcohol-based hand rubs.

Disinfect surfaces.

Disinfecting destroys germs, and cleaning removes germs from surfaces.
Disinfect after cleaning to get extra protection from germs.

Seal, trap, and clean up to control rodents.

Seal up holes or gaps in your home, and trap any existing rodents. Clean up food, water, and items that might provide shelter for them.

Travel safely.

Pack items you will need to stay healthy on your trip, such as sunscreen, insect repellent, prescription medicines, and basic first-aid items.

Protect your child or yourself during RSV season.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a contagious viral disease that can lead to serious health problems, especially for young children and older adults. To help prevent the spread of RSV, people who have cold-like symptoms should cover their mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing, wash their hands often with soap and water for 15–20 seconds, avoid sharing cups
and eating utensils with others, and refrain from kissing others.

Keep your pets healthy.

Some animals may carry germs that can be spread to people. By keeping your pet healthy, you keep yourself and your family healthy.

October 21, 2009

This week's VU Health Watch Wednesday focuses on the use of tobacco. Tobacco use is often labeled as the "nation's largest killer." 

All members of the VU community should be aware that tobacco use is only allowed in designated areas on University properties.  More information can be found at www.vinu.edu/tobaccopolicy.

VU Health Watch Wednesday is a service of the VU Health Office,  Office of Student Affairs, and Office of External Relations.

 September 24, 2009

Vincennes University students can now call an Influenza Information Line at 888-2222.

Sponsored by the VU Health Center, the information line will provide preventative steps, flu symptoms and treatment, the latest updates on flu vaccinations, as well as an option to speak to a nurse.

VU's Health Center is located in Harrison Hall and is staffed by three registered nurses and administered under the supervision of consultant physicians from the Medical Center of Vincennes.  Health Center hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m. Fridays.

September 22, 2009
Type A Influenza update from Vincennes University

Vincennes Campus:  Vincennes University has confirmed that seven students have been diagnosed with Type A Influenza since Sept. 11. This includes the students identified during the initial report issued by VU on Sept. 14. Those two students have recovered during the past week.

Type A Influenza is a subset of H1N1 Influenza. Because this is not flu season, health-care providers have been advised to treat Type A cases as H1N1.

Peggy Milligan, coordinator of VU’s Student Health Center, said that currently three residence hall students are being treated at their homes and no students are being treated on campus. One student is being treated at an off-campus apartment. One Vincennes resident, who is also a student, is being treated at her home.

Milligan said that the procedure for residence hall students diagnosed with Type A Influenza is to either pursue treatment at their homes or to have them essentially remain in their residence hall rooms until at least 24 hours without fever (not using fever reducing medicine).

Milligan says that VU staff monitors the students and that food and supplies are delivered to the students. She said that VU is following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and state health officials. None of the VU students treated for Type A Influenza have been admitted to hospitals.

Generally, the H1N1 influenza can cause illness for five to seven days. The patients have been advised to take the same steps they would for any type of flu. Individuals under age 25 are expected to be more likely to contract this strain because they have little or no immunity.

For the Jasper Campus: If you feel ill with flu symptoms, please call the general Jasper campus phone number (812-482-3030) to report that you will not be attending class and to identify the faculty who should be notified.

To prevent spreading the illness, Milligan advises students:

• If you are ill with influenza, do not attend class or go to work. If you are a student, know ahead of time what the absence policy is. Contact your professors, instructors, or employers as soon as possible to let them know that you are ill.
• If you live in a VU residence hall, let your residence hall advisor know. Meals can be prepared for you.
• Stay home at least 24 hours after your temperature returns to normal without the aid of medicine.
• Isolate yourself. If you can, go home. If you can’t do either of these, suggest your roommate relocate until you no longer have a fever and other symptoms. The ill person also should wear a mask when others are present to help prevent spreading the infection.
• Use the buddy system. Ask friends to check on you and help get what you need.

"It's a good idea to have a thermometer and fever-reducing medicine on hand," Milligan said. "Using hand sanitizer is recommended if you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water during flu season."

As with most viruses, flu is spread primarily by coughs and sneezes or by touching contaminated surfaces and transferring the virus by hand to your nose, mouth, or eyes. To increase the chances of staying healthy and helping prevent spread, she suggests:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Cough into your sleeve or a tissue to prevent spreading germs. Do not cough into your hands. Dispose of tissues in a wastebasket.
• Wash your hands with soap under warm running water for 20 seconds and rinse your hands well. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and turn the doorknob. Be sure your hands are dry before directly touching anything.

Consider getting a vaccination against the seasonal flu as soon as they become available on campus. While they will not protect against H1N1, they will protect against previously known flu strains.

More ways to minimize risk can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web site on homecare at www.flu.gov.

Flu symptoms usually appear 24-48 hours after exposure to the virus, and people remain contagious for seven days after the onset of symptoms. Basic flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, chills, and body aches. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

The first shipment of H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available to the county health department no sooner than late October, and then more are expected to follow.

Updated information from VU and government agencies will be available at: www.vinu.edu/healthoffice.

VU HEALTH CENTER

VU's Health Center is located in Harrison Hall and is staffed by three registered nurses and administered under the supervision of consultant physicians from the Medical Center of Vincennes.

This medical program is included in the room-and-board fee for residence hall students. Off-campus students may enroll in the program by completing an application form and submitting the per-semester fee to the Health Center prior to the end of the first week of classes.

For the Jasper Campus: If you feel ill with flu symptoms, please call the general Jasper campus phone number (812-482-3030) to report that you will not be attending class and to identify the faculty who should be notified.

DATE:  September 14, 2009
Two VU students recovering from flu

Vincennes University has confirmed that two students are recovering from Type A Influenza, which is a subset of H1N1 Influenza. One of the students was seen by the VU Health Center and staff at the Vincennes Medical Center on Sept. 11.  Good Samaritan Hospital reported to VU on Sept. 13 that two VU students, including the one seen on Sept. 11, tested positive for Type A Influenza.

Since this is not flu season, health-care providers have been advised to treat Type A cases as H1N1. 

 Peggy Milligan, coordinator of VU’s Student Health Center, said both students will essentially remain in their residence hall rooms until at least 24 hours without fever (not using fever reducing medicine). Their roommates have been re-located to other rooms in the residence halls.

 Milligan says VU staff will be monitoring the students and that food and supplies will be delivered to the students. She said that VU is following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and state health officials.

The two VU patients did not require admission to Good Samaritan Hospital. Generally, the H1N1 influenza can cause illness for five to seven days. The patients have been advised to take the same steps they would for any type of flu. Individuals under age 25 are expected to be more likely to contract this strain because they have little or no immunity.

1. Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue if you sneeze or cough
2. Throw the tissue in the trash after use
3. Cough/sneeze into your upper sleeve if a tissue is not available
4. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze
5. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective
6. Avoid close contact with sick people
7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way.
8. If you get influenza-like symptoms, stay home from school, except to seek medical care and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.