Flu Preparedness Information for CMC Faculty

September 11, 2009

Claremont McKenna College is preparing for a more-active flu season. It is important to know that the College, along with The Claremont University Consortium (CUC), has preparedness plans in place to guard the health of our students, faculty, and staff. Attached is an informational brochure from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Prevention and keeping healthy are the best tools for fighting the transmission of the seasonal flu and the H₁N₁ virus.

Prevention:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not readily available, do the “dracula” sneeze into your elbow so that germs do not touch your hands.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Use hand sanitizer after making contact with high-touch areas (copy machines, fax machines, computer equipment in the classroom, etc.).
Try to avoid close contact with sick individuals. The CDC recommends maintaining a minimum distance of 6 feet from individuals displaying flu-like symptoms.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
If you are sick or become ill limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The College is encouraging students who display flu-like symptoms to not attend class or public gatherings, thus limiting the exposure of the virus to the campus. Students should not return to class until 24 hours AFTER their fever has broken.

Members of the faculty are asked to prepare for the possibility of increased remote learning and the need to provide information to students via e-mail. Also, if you see a student in your class who is demonstrating flu-like symptoms, please encourage them to seek medical care at CUC Student Health Services or their primary-care physician.

If you become ill with flu-like symptoms, please contact your department chair and the Dean of Faculty’s Office at x18117. Please contact your primary-care physician for medical care and plan to stay at home until 24 hours AFTER your fever has broken.

Flu-like symptoms include:

High Fever
Cough
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Sore Throat
Body Aches
Headache
Chills and Fatigue
Vomiting
Diarrhea

If you experience severe symptoms or are at high risk for flu complications, seek medical assistance immediately. Emergency warning signs include: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; or flu-like symptoms that improve but return with fever and worse cough.

The CUC Student Health Services will offer flu shots by appointment beginning October 21 and will host a flu clinic on campus October 29. Please note that because of anticipated high demand for the vaccine, students are the priority group for appointments through Student Health Services and for the on-campus flu clinic at this time. Staff and faculty should contact their primary-care provider or participate in local flu clinics offered through the City of Claremont and pharmacies. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to receive a seasonal flu shot.

If you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at x18490 or hr@claremontmckenna.edu. Updates and general information also will be posted on the CMC Flu Season Information web site.