University health officials are sharing various kinds of information this fall to help the community understand the breadth and impact of seasonal flu and H1N1 illness across the student community, and to stay in touch with ill students as they rest and recover. Penn State's Division of Student Affairs, through the Office of Residence Life, has created a simple self-reporting page through its eLiving Web site. University Park students living both on campus and off are encouraged to log in to the eLiving site to register their flulike illnesses, whether seasonal flu or suspected H1N1, through the Student Flu Status link. (more)
Penn State's University Park campus is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health as an H1N1 vaccination site for students. "We have not yet received confirmation that we will be a PUSH site for the vaccinations, but we fully expect that to happen," said Margaret Spear, director of University Health Services (UHS). "We volunteered because of our high concentration of the population most affected by the virus - those up to age 24." The Bryce Jordan Center is the most probable site of the vaccination distribution, because logistically it can handle a much higher traffic load than University Health Services. The University expects to receive enough vaccinations to inoculate all eligible students who wish to be vaccinated, Spear said. (more)
While it is hoped that all University employees remain healthy during this flu season, there is a possibility that some may become ill with either the seasonal flu or H1N1. In an effort to answer ongoing queries related to the flu and possible missed work time, the following Frequently Asked Questions should provide responses that give University employees guidance on what to do if they or a loved one contract the flu. (more)
Fall begins the season for any number of viruses to make their appearance in the campus population. Colds, sore throat and other ailments become more commonplace, which could lead you to wonder if you have contracted the flu or if you simply are a bit under the weather. To help you determine if you may have contracted the flu, University Health Services has provided a guide to the symptoms and ailments that most commonly accompany the flu virus. In general, the flu is more likely to have fever, muscle aches, headache and fatigue, and less likely to have predominant symptoms of sneezing and nasal congestion. (more)
It's flu season, and whether you have the H1N1 virus or just the garden variety flu virus, you may not feel like doing much of anything -- especially going out to meet friends or heading off to work. That's a good thing, according to health care professionals. Anyone with flu-like symptoms should do all they can to avoid contact with others, at least until 24 hours after their fever has cleared without the use of fever-reducing medications. With the number of flu cases expected to rise in the coming month as flu season hits its stride, doctors in University Health Services have prepared a Self-Care Guide for Influenza. (more)
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services held a Flu Prevention PSA Contest that asked contestants to make videos "that will inform and motivate people to take steps that will help prevent the spread of the flu. Make your video fun, smart and entertaining." One of the finalists is a "toothbrush prank" video, that carries with it a serious and timely message. Click on the full story to reach a link to watch it, as well as additional videos housed on the Department's YouTube channel. (more)
The flu is a serious respiratory infection that affects millions of people each year and spreads easily through the respiratory droplets of an infected person. Although recovery may take several days, most people recover from the flu (including H1N1 flu) with rest and proper self-care strategies.As the fall semester creeps into its second month, Penn State's medical professionals continue their mission to educate the campus population about how to stay avoid the H1N1 virus this flu season. However, students, faculty and staff may still encounter the illness and should know what to do if they have the flu. (more)
Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the H1N1 virus (previously called swine flu) will experience a resurgence in Pennsylvania and may spread widely unless preventive measures are taken. Penn State is monitoring the disease closely, since the target population for this virus appears to be people age 6 months to 24. Combined with the seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus may hit college communities particularly hard. Using information provided by the CDC and other public health agencies, a flyer with standardized information has been created for posting in restrooms and other areas such as computer labs and physical fitness facilities. (more)
The H1N1 virus (previously called swine flu) has taken a backseat to other news lately, but public health officials expect it to re-emerge this fall, creating a number of challenges for institutions like Penn State. To take a proactive approach to the expected flu outbreak, University officials are ramping up communications efforts to provide guidelines to students, faculty and staff who may be affected in some way by the H1N1 virus, either contracting the illness themselves, caring for family members who may be ill, or avoiding the flu altogether. Minimizing the spread of this highly contagious disease is a significant concern for health officials. The guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for anyone contracting the H1N1 virus require self-isolation -- that means not attending classes, not coming to work and not gathering in public spaces or for group activities. (more)
