A Commitment to a Healthy Year

With the start of another academic year, Saint Vincent College encourages a commitment from all members of the campus community to make it a healthy one.

Because health authorities have warned about an outbreak of the H1N1 virus this fall, particularly on college campuses, Saint Vincent College is taking a proactive approach to the prevention of illness. Educational posters and the WAHL News are being placed on bulletin boards and restrooms across campus. The WAHL News will contain monthly updates from the PA Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

CDC Flu Site

Handwashing + Cough Etiquette = Prevention

Handwashing remains the best method of controlling the spread of disease. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after going to the bathroom, or after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are also effective, but should not always be a substitute for soap and water.
Coughing into your sleeve or into a disposable tissue prevents respiratory droplets from spreading into the air. Dispose of the tissue after one use and wash your hands!
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Avoid close contact with people who are ill. Maintain a distance of 3-6 feet if possible.
Those who are ill should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Be selfish – don’t share food, drinks or toothbrushes.
Periodically wipe down your telephone, keyboard, the arms of your chair, and door knobs with a sanitizing wipe such as Clorox Wipes.

Symptoms of the Flu

*Rapid onset of muscle aches, fever over 101 degrees, headache, dry cough, feeling tired and weak, and mild respiratory symptoms. Symptoms of Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Virus are similar. Some individuals have reported vomiting and diarrhea with the H1N1 illness. If these symptoms occur, isolate yourself, drink plenty of fluids, take Tylenol (as directed on label) for fever/body aches, and only return to class or work 24 hours after the fever is gone.

*Cold symptoms differ from the flu. With a cold there is a gradual onset of symptoms. Low grade fever 99-100 degrees or no fever at all, slight muscle aches, mild tiredness or weakness, stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat may occur with the common cold.

Vaccines

The Seasonal Flu Vaccine was given on campus during our annual Vaccine Clinic on Thursday, October 1, 2009.

Production of the H1N1 Vaccine is on-going. The Wellness Center has registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to be a vaccine provider. It is not known, however, how soon the H1N1 Vaccine will be available for distribution on our campus.