Dear Students, Faculty and Staff of Howard University:

We are taking steps to prevent the spread of seasonal or H1N1 flu here at Howard University. We need your help to accomplish this. To date, the overwhelming majority of cases of new influenza A (H1N1) viral infection occurring in the U.S. have been uncomplicated illnesses of limited duration.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following ways you can keep from getting sick with either strain of flu:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also very effective.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.
• If you think you have the flu, stay at home or in your residence hall. Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, broth, sports drinks and electrolyte beverages, to keep from becoming dehydrated.
• Stay at home or at your place of residence if you are sick, for at least 24 hours after resolution of your fever or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, sweating, or being flushed). This must be determined without the use of fever reducing medications (ibuprofen containing medications or acetaminophen, or naproxen containing medications). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick, too. Symptoms of flu can include fever, chills, cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting.
• If you develop shortness of breath, confusion, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, severe or persistent vomiting, sudden dizziness, or fever that is not relieved by fever reducing medications, seek immediate medical attention.
• Talk to your healthcare provider to find out whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or the 2009 H1N1 flu.
• Information regarding 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination may be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination
• Information about seasonal flu vaccine may be found at www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• The Student Health Center will have seasonal flu vaccine available in mid to late September for students. You will need one injection to get protection from seasonal flu. The H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to be available in late October/early November. The Student Health Center is attempting to get the vaccine and will notify you when it comes in.
• Persons who should get the vaccine:
• Pregnant women and household contacts
• Caregivers of infants younger that 6 months
• Healthcare and emergency services personnel
• Age 6 – 65 year olds who are at greater risk for influenza related complications due to preexisting medical conditions, such as chronic pulmonary conditions, including asthma, cardiovascular conditions except hypertension, renaldisease,hepatic disease, cognitive and neurologic/neuromuscular disease, hematologic or metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus
• Persons over 65 years old

We are working closely with the Department of Health to monitor flu conditions and make decisions on the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.

Students who are rotating through patient care areas should not report to their clinical rotations for at least seven days or until all symptoms have completely resolved, whichever is longer.

Thank you,
Dr. Robin Newton
Associate Senior Vice President