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As you have heard through the media, Influenza A H1N1 is present in the area, with many schools and employers reporting probable and confirmed cases of H1N1.  Here at Clark, we are currently experiencing cases of H1N1 in students and employees, as many in the community are as well.

In addition, seasonal influenza season will be here soon, so it is possible that we will soon see both seasonal and H1N1 influenza in the Clark County area.

It’s no fun to be sick with the flu, so here’s what you can do to keep yourself (and our community) healthy.

• Stay informed.  We will provide periodic updates to the community though email, flyers, and two new tools:  Through our web page H1N1 link and you can follow Health Services on Twitter@clarkhealthserv
  
  
• You can also check for the latest updates at www.flu.gov Throughout the year, Clark will be following guidance from the CDC, Washington State Department of Health, and the Clark County Health Department.

• Everyone should take these everyday steps to protect your health and lessen the spread of this new virus:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, please cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• Know the symptoms of the flu.  According to the CDC, the symptoms of influenza A H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.  

• Seasonal flu also continues to be a health threat, killing approximately 36,000 people per year and requiring hospitalization for over 200,000 people, and vaccination remains the best prevention.  Currently, Health Services has exhausted our supply of flu vaccine. To find a flu shot provider near you, search www.flucliniclocator.org
  
  
• We are waiting for the vaccine for Influenza A H1N1 and at this time we don't know how many doses of vaccine will be allocated to Clark College.  When the vaccine is made available, Health Services will follow the recommendations of the CDC and public health officials regarding priority groups for immunization against H1N1, Clark County Public Health is currently providing H1N1 vaccine to people those at highest risk for flu complications.

What to do if you experience flu-like illness

• Community members (students, faculty and staff) who are sick with a flu-like illness (fever with cough and/or sore throat) should isolate themselves until they have been without a fever for 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medicines.  This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.   This isolation should extend to not attending classes, internships, field placements, student activities, athletics, and other events.   

• The majority of people with the flu will not need medical treatment.  Students or staff experiencing flu-like illness may telephone their health care provider or Health Services (992-2264) for advice.  It is preferable to contact the office by telephone to avoid exposing other students and staff to the flu.

• Please do not bring children who are recuperating from the flu to campus.  If they are not able to attend school, they should be cared for at home.

• Students who need to isolate themselves or have to stay home to care for an ill child need to contact their faculty by e-mail or phone as soon as possible to communicate their situation.

• The current recommendation in Clark County is to perform specific tests for H1N1 only people hospitalized with flu-like illness.  Therefore it is important to follow these guidelines as it may not be possible to determine whether you have seasonal influenza or H1N1.

Please note:  We know that some faculty have historically adopted attendance policies that allow students a certain number of absences without penalty.   We strongly advise that students should always be attending class when they are not ill, because students may need to miss two or more classes if they later become ill with the flu. 

I hope this information is helpful to you.  If you have questions, please contact our Health Services at 360-992-2264. 

On behalf of our Student Health and Counseling staff, best wishes for the school year, and stay well!

Mary Deal, MSN, ARNP

Health Services Officer

Clark College