H1N1

Flu Pandemic


Dear Texarkana College students, faculty, and staff:

Texarkana College is taking steps to prevent the spread of the flu on the campus, but, we need your help to accomplish this. Recently, you have heard a lot about the novel H1N1 flu pandemic. According to a representative of the Texas Department of State Health Services, 99% of the patients testing positive for the Type A flu strain so far this season have the H1N1 virus. However, not every illness is H1N1. Texarkana College is working closely with health care officials to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

Here are a few things you can do to help to keep activities on campus operating as usual during this flu season:

  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

Common symptoms of the H1N1 flu are:

  • Fever of 100 degrees or more
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Chills
  • Extreme Tiredness
  • Dry Cough
  • Runny Nose
  • Stomach Problems

You do not need to experience all of these symptoms to have the flu. If you have one or two, it's recommended that you seek medical attention.

  • Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
  • Don’t go to class or work.
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering 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. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
  • Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

Any additional changes to our institution’s strategy to prevent the spread of flu on our campus will be posted on the college’s Web site.

If the flu pandemic becomes more severe and it is determined by Texarkana College to take additional precautions, as an institution we may consider the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:

  • Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home. These students, faculty, and staff should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider.
  • Find ways to increase social distances (the space between people) in classrooms such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes, and using distance learning methods.
  • Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay home or in their residence. During severe flu conditions sick people should stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. Those who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away.
  • Suspend classes. This decision will be made together with local and state public health officials. The length of time classes should be suspended will depend on the goal of suspending classes as well as the severity and extent of illness.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMMUTER STUDENTS:

  • If you exhibit influenza like illness symptoms, seek medical attention. If you do not have a personal/family physician, go to a community emergency clinic.
  • Follow all of the medical directives provided by the nurse and/or physician.
  • Notify your instructors if you are diagnosed with the flu and make arrangements to get your class assignments and or make up work missed. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN UNEXCUSED ABSENSES.
  • Do not attend classes until 24 hours after your fever has gone without the aid of fever reducing medications such as Advil or Tylenol.
  • Keep away from others as much as possible.
  • Please notify the Dean of Students Office at 903-832-5565 if you have been diagnosed with the flu by a health care professional.
SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS:
  • Contact your Dorm Supervisor Immediately who will help you find a health care provider.
  • Follow all of the medical directives provided by your health care provider.
  • If you have been diagnosed with the flu and you can go home, it is recommended that you do so. Your Dorm Supervisor can help you make the arrangements to help you get home.
  • Notify your instructors if you are diagnosed with the flu and make arrangements to get your class assignments and or make up work missed. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN UNEXCUSED ABSENSES.
  • Do not attend classes until 24 hours after your fever has gone without the aid of fever reducing medications such as Advil or Tylenol.
  • Do not go to the Student Center and eat meals. Contact your Dorm Supervisor who can help you with meals.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit http://www.flu.gov or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

Sincerely,

Dr. Alan Rasco

Texarkana College

President