NMCC H1N1 Flu Information
One of the concerns facing Northern Maine Community College this academic year is the H1N1 flu (also called Swine flu). While not particularly deadly when compared with other flu strains, the H1N1 flu has proven very contagious. Prevention is the first line of defense and we urge you to take all of the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health experts. STAY INFORMED! Below are two related web resources that should help to inform you and those you care for.
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
NMCC is dedicated to the safety of our students, employees, and visitors. The College continues to closely monitor the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak, both locally and nationally. Staff members are regularly in contact with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local and county emergency management agencies. The College intends to follow the guidelines made by the Centers for Disease Control for institutions of higher education.
NMCC's plan for dealing with a possible outbreak of H1N1 includes the following key components:
- Preventive measures designed to protect the overall health and welfare of the College community, including an educational campaign to promote good hygiene, revised cleaning/sanitizing protocols for common areas, and the availability of hand sanitizer in select locations on campus.
- Continuous communication with emergency management agencies for guidance and support in College decision-making.
If you are sick with flu-like illness:
- STAY HOME! If you are a resident student and are ill, the best place to recover is at home and not in a campus dorm room. Consistent with CDC guidelines, generally, all resident students presenting flu symptoms and a fever of over 100oF are asked to go home and remain there until they are fever free (without medication such as Tylenol) for one day.
- All faculty members have campus email so notifying them of your illness/absence should be relatively easy. Please notify all of your instructors before you miss a class. We recommend you copy your attendance/illness-related email to both the Health Center Director (LMastro(at)nmcc(dot)edu) and Dean of Students (deanofstudents(at)nmcc(dot)edu).
- The NMCC Health Center is a resource available to all students. The Health Center is located at 15 Washington Hall with hours of operation M - F (8 AM-1 PM) and Wed. evenings (5-7 PM). You may contact the center by calling 768-2804. The NMCC Health Center serves as a resource for all students but is not intended to be emergency care for anyone. Anyone requiring emergency care should call 911 (from campus phones dial 9 - 911) or go directly to the hospital. The Health Center Director can provide consultation for students and also serves as the campus liaison with local, state and federal health officials.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes H1N1 flu symptoms as follows:
The symptoms of H1N1 in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
The CDC's recommendations to reduce your risk of becoming infected:
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve or elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
For more information, read the CDC's Web page, What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms.
Other Important Information:
- First, get immunized. If you’ve never had a flu shot, this is probably the year to seriously consider it (both the Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines). As flu shot clinics become organized on campus, students will be notified via their campus email.
- Second, the CDC recommends you have a “Flu Buddy”…someone who can help look after you if you get ill. This is a good idea whether you live on campus, off-campus, alone or with others.
- Third, take care of yourself. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle (eat right, get enough sleep, exercise….) you are more likely to resist infection.
- And lastly, students should keep reading their campus emails. Email will be the primary method for distributing changing information on this and many other college-related topics.
What's guiding our response?
Maine’s community colleges are working closely with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and local emergency management agencies to stay informed and ensure a coordinated, effective response to a possible flu outbreak. The MCCS is also following closely the guidance of both the state and federal Centers for Disease Control. This guidance includes:
Other important resources for you to know about:
This webpage will be updated periodically or as events warrant.
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