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VU Health Update
November, 2009
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) currently recommends that anyone who had the presumptive H1N1 virus should still get vaccinated, as it will help boost your immunity.
The H1N1 vaccines is only available to Villanova students and employees. It is not available to family members of students and employees. The vaccine is free. Please birng your Villanova Wildcard when you come for your vaccine.
Villanova University continues to closely monitor the ongoing reported cases of
the H1N1 virus here in Pennsylvania as well as worldwide. As the number of
reported cases has grown, the Villanova community has not been unaffected. In all instances, the individuals were diagnosed early,
treated, isolated and are recovering nicely.
Taking Preventative Measuress
The University is dedicated to the medical safety of our students, employees and
guests. We are regularly in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health
and are following all recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
and World Health Organization.
Understanding that the University serves a frequently changing population coming
to campus from around the country and the world, it is recommended that the
following actions from the CDC be carefully followed to prevent the spread of
germs that cause respiratory illnesses such as the H1N1 virus:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the
tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Diligently wash your hands with soap and water especially after you cough or
sneeze. Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you feel sick, seek medical attention immediately. Do not go to class,
work or any group activities. It is important that you limit your contact with
other people so you do not infect them. If you are attending a camp or other
summer program at the University, notify your counselor immediately if you feel
unwell.
- Should you need assistance at any time call Public Safety at 610-519-4444.
What Puts Someone at Risk?
The H1N1 virus is spread through respiratory droplets. The
transmission of these droplets requires close contact between source and
recipient persons because the droplets do not remain suspended in the air
and generally travel only a short distance (less than six feet). The CDC
recommends preventative treatment for close contacts. "Close contacts"
is defined as, caring for, or living with a person who is a confirmed, probable,
or suspected case of the H1N1 virus. It also includes persons who
have been in a setting where there was a high likelihood of contact with
respiratory droplets and/or body fluids of an infected person. Examples of
close contact include kissing or embracing, sharing eating or drinking utensils,
or activity between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory
droplets. Close contact typically does not include activities such as
walking by an infected person, sitting across from a symptomatic patient in a
waiting room or office, or being in the same classroom as an infected person.
Understanding Symptoms
Any student who experiences any flu-like symptoms, such as sudden onset of
fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and
vomiting should report immediately to the Student Health Center (located on the
third floor of the Health Services Building), which is opened 24 hours/day, 7
days a week. Employees with any symptoms should not come to work and
should be seen by their family physician.
Anyone diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, is asked to remain isolated from the
public until they have been without a fever for 24 hours (without the aid of a
fever reducing medicine, such as Tylenol or Advil.) At this time some of
our students are staying in the infirmary while they are sick, while most
students have returned home for their recovery.
If you would like more detailed information about the H1N1 virus, see
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
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