10-19-09
Dear SUNY Oneonta Students,
This message is to provide you with an update and to remind you of the recommendations that were made earlier in the semester. The College has been tracking the cases of flu-like illness among students that have been reported to us, and the total since the beginning of the semester is 71. Because the Health Center and many medical providers in the community are not testing for H1N1, we cannot say if any of these are H1N1. The recommendations below apply to all types of flu-like illnesses.
It is important to prevent a larger outbreak of flu-like illness on campus, so we are asking students to continue to isolate themselves if they are ill with the following symptoms (not everyone will have all of the symptoms):
- Sudden onset of symptoms
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Chills
- Body ache
- Headache
- Nasal congestion
- Cough
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
We strongly recommend that those of you who live in residence halls and have flu-like symptoms go home to recover. We believe that this will provide the best environment for recovery for you and will minimize exposure to other students. The college does not have an infirmary or a separate residence facility that could handle large numbers of students needing isolation. If you develop flu-like illness while you are at home for a visit, please remain there until you recover.
Students who have flu-like symptoms who cannot go home are asked to isolate themselves in their residence hall room or local residence. Do not go to classes or campus events, wear a mask when going to bathrooms that you share with others, and maintain 6’ distance from others. Students will be responsible for monitoring their symptoms and recovery. Masks, thermometers, and other supplies are available in residence halls and at the Health Center. If you live in a residence hall, contact your residence hall director for assistance in getting meals. We reserve the right to move residence hall students temporarily, if necessary.
You can resume your usual activities 7 days after the appearance of the first symptom or, if you had fever, 24 hours after your temperature has returned to normal.
If you’re not getting better and/or you develop additional symptoms, contact the Health Center at 436-3573 or your primary health care provider.
H1N1 flu and seasonal flu can be very serious for people who have chronic medical conditions, are taking immunosuppressant medication, and women who are pregnant. If you have any of those conditions, you should contact a health care provider as soon as you develop flu-like symptoms.
If you have flu-like symptoms and are isolating yourself at home or on campus, let someone know. You may contact your instructors by phone/e-mail or ask for help from your residence hall director or call the office of Student Development at 436-2513. After you recover, you will need to work with each of your instructors to arrange to make up work that has been missed.
Please refer to the College website, http://www.oneonta.edu for updates or call 888-294-3262.
Sincerely,
President Nancy Kleniewski
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