The following message was sent out via e-mail to all Saint Michael's faculty, staff and students by Mary Masson, Director of Student Health Services.
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May 7, 2009
The H1N1 Flu has been all around us in the past couple of weeks and yesterday the Vermont Department of Health has confirmed its first case in Orleans County. The good news is that this flu continues to present with the same symptoms as seasonal flu. Although it is widespread in this country, the cases have been mostly on the mild side.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has just released new recommendations for Colleges and Universities which can be found on the following Web site: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/guidelines_colleges.htm.
Basically, it states there is NO NEED to cancel classes or other large gatherings (i.e. graduation) at this time.
If there is a case of confirmed H1N1 flu on campus, that individual would be asked to self-isolate (go home and get better) for 7 days or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved.
As always, if you feel ill with a high fever, sore throat, cough or body aches, you should seek medical evaluation from your health care provider or from Student Health Services. We are open through this week from 8-4:30, this weekend from 12-4 and next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Your best defense against this and many other illnesses continues to be:
Stay well,
Mary Masson, APRN-C
Director of Student Health Services