A message from Senior Associate Dean of Academic, Student and Faculty Affairs Michael Lu:
As you may have heard in the news, the influenza virus (or the “flu”) has begun to spread across the nation. This year, flu season is affecting many more people than in previous years, and we are seeing an increase in cases on campus at the Colonial Health Center.
As a school of public health, we want to make sure that we are taking all preventive measures necessary to protect your health and that of our community, and to prevent the spread of the flu virus. But we need your help. Specifically, based on recommendations from the CDC, we ask that you
- Get a flu vaccine if you haven’t already. While the flu vaccine isn’t 100% effective, it reduces the risk of infection and severity of flu illness. You can get a flu shot at your local pharmacy, but call first as most places are running short or have run out of supply. If you are interested in getting a flu shot through the Colonial Health Center, please email our Assistant Dean for Student Services Helen Klepac at [email protected] immediately so she can coordinate special arrangements for our students;
- Take everyday preventive actions to protect yourself, such as washing your hands often with soap and water (or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available); avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth (germs spread this way); and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu. We will make hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes available in high traffic areas throughout the school;
- Help us stop the spread of the flu. If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities (your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). The Provost’s Office has asked that faculty not require students to get a note from the Colonial Health Center should they miss class in order to prevent the spread of the illness on campus;
- Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.
As public health students and professionals, let’s practice what we preach. Thank you for your help in keeping our GWSPH community healthy.