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1. If a sick student displaying H1N1 flu symptoms is noticed by anyone (faculty, staff, coaches, students), that student should be encouraged to isolate himself or herself from classmates, faculty and staff, and seek appropriate care.
2. The sick student should call the Health Center if it is during regular working hours (ext. 5368), OR call the College Health Hotline (279-5999) for advice and counsel if the Health Center is closed.
3. Those advising sick students will urge the sick students to have their families come to campus and take them home during the recovery period. Going home should be the first option. Students should NOT drive themselves home.
4. All H1N1 flu cases should be reported to the Office of Student Affairs (ext. 5215). Student affairs will track the status of all sick students and will inform Health Services. Health Services will report to the chief operating officer/executive vice president of the College, the College physician, and Yates County Public Health.
5. If the student cannot go home at all, or if there will be a significant period of time before the family can pick up the student, the sick student will be directed to stay in one of the designated areas of isolation on campus (Ball Cottage, Blyley apartments, the guest house, or 409 Chestnut). The Health Center and residence life staff will coordinate the move to these facilities. Hotline staff will connect the student with appropriate staff.
6. College staff will arrange for regular checks on the student’s condition, meal delivery, and housekeeping needs.
7. Student affairs staff will track all H1N1 flu cases and Health Services will coordinate the service delivery to on-campus students in conjunction with the Office of Student Affairs.
How will H1N1 affect the upcoming flu season?
- H1N1 has continued to cause illness over the summer, a normally flu-free season.
- The CDC is not sure of the effect, but believe H1N1 may cause an increase in the total number of flu cases.
- At this time, H1N1 is not considered a more severe illness than seasonal flu.
How can I prevent catching and spreading the flu?
Vaccination
- The first and most important protection against seasonal flu is a yearly flu vaccination.
- Seasonal flu vaccines are administered in the fall before the season begins. Keuka College (Sept. 29), Walgreens (Oct. 1, 15 and 28) will hold clinics for vaccination, or see your personal physician.
- Receiving flu vaccine in the fall allows time for the body to develop antibodies (immunity) to the flu before the flu season begins.
- Typically, the flu season runs it course from late winter to early spring.
- Vaccination is needed each fall because influenza viruses constantly change and become resistant to previous vaccines.
- A vaccine to protect against H1N1 is being developed and should be available this fall.
- The seasonal flu vaccine and then the H1N1 vaccine will be the most important steps in countering the possibility of a severe flu season.
Personal Hygiene
- Good hand-washing with soap and water when available.
- Hand sanitation with a hand gel product. Dispensers have been installed throughout campus
- Cover your mouth with a tissue or cough, or sneeze into your bent elbow
Strengthen Your Immunity
- Get enough sleep
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Develop stress management skills
- Get regular exercise
Sanitary Concerns for Faculty and Staff
- Promote frequent cleaning of offices, meeting rooms, personal space, and frequently used areas.
- Help reduce possible exposures by frequently cleaning high-touch surfaces with a sanitizer:
- Chairs, desks, study carrels
- Remote controls
- Keyboards and mice
- Telephone receivers and touch-tone pads in common areas
Social Distancing
- Increase social distances; in classrooms, a reasonable distance is 3 to 6 feet.
- Move desks farther apart.
- Leave empty seats between students.
- Hold outdoor classes.
- Use distance learning methods (Moodle) when feasible.
- DO NOT SHARE drinks, water bottles, utensils, or eat/drink after another person.
- Avoid close contact with those who are ill.
What if I catch the flu?
- Keep away from others to avoid making them sick
- If ill with flu-like symptoms stay home and call your health care provider. Students should call the College Health Center at 279-5368 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) or the Flu Hot Line 279-5999 (during hours when the Health Center is closed). Students are advised to follow the College protocol for students with flu symptoms
- A Campus Information Line (279-5993) will have information on closing at all Keuka sites.
- If you are ill with flu or have flu-like symptoms, stay home for 24 hours after your fever (100f) is gone without the use of fever reducing medicines (Advil, Tylenol, etc.).
- Let those you’ve been in close contact with over the past week know that you have the flu so they can take early measures to avoid illness.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated by drinking clear fluids (water, broth, sport drinks); drinks containing caffeine are not advised.
Emergency Warning Signs (Get Immediate Medical Care)
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Signs of dehydration such as sudden dizziness when standing or absence of urination
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
Ninety wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in various public access areas throughout all campus buildings.
If you questions about the hand sanitizers, contact Facilities Director Dennis Hoins at (315) 279-5251 or dhoins@keuka.edu.
