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Flu Season Begins - Response Plans in Place

Will the College suspend classes and activities?

Classes and other campus activities are anticipated to be held as scheduled.   College leadership will monitor the campus situation.  All decisions and actions will be based on recommendations from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the CDC guidelines.  The President’s Council will make final decisions about canceling classes.  Cancellations would be communicated through multiple sources including email, the B-W Web site and other communication channels.
 Feeling anxious about the flu?  Check out these helpful tips.

As another academic year begins, the College is prepared for a potentially large-scale flu season.  H1N1 flu is widespread around the world and is expected to cause illness in a significant number of people.

"So far in the United States most cases have been mild and appear to be similar to seasonal flu," says Lauren Bara, B-W director of health services.  "Even so, we must anticipate and prepare for this unique flu season.  Public health officials are warning that people under 24 years of age could be especially susceptible to the current flu viruses."

The College has initiatives in place to educate the campus community, and work toward limiting the spread of illness.  As flu affects the community, the College is prepared to continue to provide services during possible periods of student, faculty and staff absenteeism.

What can you do to prepare?

  • First, get vaccinated for seasonal flu.  Beginning September 8th the College will offer seasonal flu shots to students through the B-W Health Center.  Beginning September 14th the vaccinations will be available for the rest of the campus community as long as supplies last.  There is a nominal charge for the vaccination.  The H1N1 vaccines may be available sometime in October.  The College is working with the Cuyahoga County Health Department on H1N1 vaccine access and will share details about availability as they are known.
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after coughing or sneezing.  Hand sanitizers and alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the used tissue into the trash.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow.  If you are ill and must go out cover your mouth and nose with a facemask if available.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth since this is a primary way that germs are spread.
  • Put together your own “Flu Kit.”  Include a non-aspirin fever-reducing medication such as Advil or Tylenol, a hand sanitizer, decongestant, and a thermometer.  Students who become ill and do not have their own flu kit ready can contact their RA’s and may be able to get a flu kit prepared by the Health Center.  Also have a supply of food in your room, such as crackers, soup, decaffeinated tea or a Gatorade type beverage.  Food Service also is planning to have pre-packaged meals available.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu – fever, feeling very warm or flushed, sweating, chills, fatigue, body aches, cough, sore throat and possibly nausea.


What if you get the flu or a flu-like illness?

  • Self-isolate (stay away from others) for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities — fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines.  Students should limit their interactions with other people and avoid public gatherings.   Residential students who are able to do so are encouraged to return to their permanent home to help keep others from getting sick.  Those who can’t go home should try to have a “flu buddy”, one person to check on you and bring you food during isolation.  Faculty/staff should remain home based on the same criteria.
  • Students should contact their instructors via phone or email regarding missing class.  If your illness is mild, contact the Health Center for additional self-care advice if needed.  If you have concerns about your illness or have a medical condition that puts you at increased risk of complications from the flu, seek care at the Health Center or your own health care provider.  Seek care at the local emergency room if you develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or rapid breathing.
  • Faculty/staff are instructed to contact their appropriate department/colleagues/supervisors as necessary.  Seek medical care from your health care provider as needed.   Contact Human Resources if you have additional questions regards sick time.

 

Additional resources:

If you have additional questions about the flu and this flu season, please contact the Health Center at 440-826-2178

For up-to-date information on the flu, visit http://www.flu.gov or call 1-8000-CDC-INFO (232-4636)