Flu-like symptoms ground NGCSU students
From Dahlonega Nugget
Published on: Sept. 2, 2009
By Sharon Hall
As of Monday North Georgia College & State University's Student Health Services has seen 14 students with flu-like symptoms come through its doors.
"This does not mean that these students have the H1N1 virus," says Director of University Relations Kate Maine, but the the school is following guidelines established by the Georgia Department of Health, and has instructed those with symptoms to go home, or have separated them from other students until symptoms subside.
"In most cases where students are sharing dorm rooms and one of the students has developed flu-like symptoms, the university is providing an isolated living space for the ill student where he or she can recover and reduce the risk of infection to other students and personnel," Maine said. "Once a residential student's symptoms have subsided and they have been without fever for 24 hours, they will visit Student Health Services to be cleared to resume normal school activities."
Commuter students who develop flu-like symptoms have been asked to stay home and not go to class until they are feeling better and have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.
The university is also cleaning and disinfecting spaces where ill students have resided and providing educational information to students whose roommates may have become ill, Main said.
Since the initial outbreaks of H1N1 virus in the United States this past spring, the university has been working closely with public health officials to prevent and prepare for outbreaks of the virus among the campus community.
"We are following all guidelines established by the state health department and the Centers for Disease Control," said Dr. John Clower, vice president of student affairs. "We have a standing pandemic committee as part of our existing emergency action plans, and that group has been monitoring the spread of the virus. Fortunately, the symptoms of H1N1 are proving to be no more severe than the normal seasonal flu."
The university's pandemic plan provides an outline for monitoring, preventing and coordinating a response to outbreaks of certain illnesses, such as the H1N1 virus. The plan includes education, communication and infection control policies in keeping with guidelines from public health organizations. The plan also provides guidelines for university closings and class cancellations, if the severity of an illness warrants it.
Since none of the 14 cases have been severe, Main said, none have been sent to the CDC for testing.
"Fortunately, the symptoms of H1N1 virus have been less severe than originally feared this past spring, and all cases are being treated as normal flu symptoms would be treated," she said.
To help students prevent the spread of the flu virus, the university has provided hand sanitizer in all residence halls and in other locations around campus including the Student Health Services self care center
In an e-mail message to students Friday, Clower said, "You have a responsibility to yourself to get better, but also to your fellow students to make sure you minimize the chances of spreading the virus to them."
The university has posted information about prevention of the virus and answers to frequently asked questions on its Web site. To learn more about how to protect yourself and what to do if you believe you or others have the virus, visit apache.northgeorgia.edu/emergency.
From www.thedahloneganugget.com/articles/2009/09/02/news/05%20flu.txt
