Dear Parents,
The start of this academic year brings new experiences and challenges for your college student. One very unique challenge, H1N1 ( swine) flu virus, which is appearing on college campuses across the country, threatens students feelings of well being and safety. At Canisius we are working to educate students to take responsibility for their health and to be informed about what to do if they experience symptoms of a flu like illness.
Our Jesuit heritage teaches students to be men and women for others. This value is central to our H1N1 response as we ask each and every member of the Canisius community to do all they can to stay healthy, reduce transmission by following infection control strategies, and to offer caring support to fellow campus members who become ill.
The Center for Disease Control defines an H1N1 influenza like illness as a fever of 100 degrees F or 37.8 degrees C accompanied by a sore throat/and or cough. Flu symptoms have a sudden and rapid onset and may cause the student to also experience body aches, fatigue, chills, headache and in some cases diarrhea and/or vomiting. In most cases, illness is mild and the student recovers in a few days. Treatment includes rest at home, symptom relief with over the counter medications, fluids and time.
The college is asking you, as parents, to take an active role. Parents and their college student should take these steps now to prepare for and educate students about H1N1 flu.
If a fever of 100 degree F or 37.8 C occurs, tell your student to should stay home from class, work and campus activities until they have been fever free for 24 hours without using a fever reducing medicine. Purchase a thermometer for your student for this purpose.
Tell your student if they get sick with symptoms described above to report their illness on the Canisius College Flu Reporting System found at www.canisius/flu and then to call either Student Health or their health care provider for medical recommendations.
Resident students who become sick with H1N1 flu like symptoms will be asked to go home and recover under the care of their family and doctor. Develop a plan now for picking your student up from school as soon as possible. A student sick with flu like illness should not drive home alone. Resident students who cannot go home should make arrangements now to stay with a friend or relative who resides a reasonable distance from the college . If this is not possible or presents a hardship, contact the Office of Residence.
If your student has a chronic health condition that places him/her at higher risk for serious complications the flu is contracted, consult your student’s physician to determine a plan for antiviral therapy and early evaluation if flu like illness presents. These students should be encouraged to discuss with faculty the possibility that they may not come to school during an outbreak and develop a plan now for handling course requirements.
A flu web site www.canisius.edu/flu was launched in July 2009 which provides updated information on H1N1 flu and to link with the Center for Disease Control for the latest updates. Students are receiving frequent updated e-mail alerts with information on H1N1 illness , prevention, and infection control strategies.
A seasonal flu shot clinic will be held September 24, 2009. Students should be vaccinated with seasonal flu earlier this year so they are ready for the H1N1 flu vaccine when it is available later this fall. Currently the Student Health Center is investigating the possibility of offering H1N1 flu vaccinations if vaccine becomes available to the college.
Canisius College, in consultation with the Erie County and New York State Department of Health will determine if the campus needs to be closed due to flu. Students should regularly check for cancelled classes on the Current Student Page of the College web site. Students should sign up for Canisius Alert since this system may be used to convey an immediate message on closures to campus members. Decisions on continuing campus activities will made on a case by case basis.
Rest assured Canisius College is actively monitoring for flu like illness among our students and staff. Preparedness strategies have been put in place across campus. We are asking you as parents to partner with us now to prepare your student and your family for H1N1 flu like illness.
Sincerely,
Ellen O. Conley, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs