August 18, 2009

TO:   Members of the McDaniel College Community
FROM:  Beth R. Gerl, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
 
As we begin a new academic year, we continue to monitor national updates about the H1N1 influenza virus.  One of our primary goals at McDaniel College is to promote the health and safety of our campus community.
 
The McDaniel College Wellness Center will be partnering with a local vaccination service to offer seasonal influenza vaccine clinics this fall. We strongly recommend that members of our campus community receive the annual flu vaccine for their protection. As a reminder, you cannot contract the flu from the vaccine and serious problems resulting from the flu vaccine are rare. We are working to offer H1N1 vaccines when available.
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed the following helpful recommendations for flu prevention and control:

Take everyday preventative actions:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs spread this way.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Hand sanitizers are located in specific areas of the campus, including Englar dining hall. 

Take time to get vaccinated:

• The CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine. 
• The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common.
• A seasonal flu vaccine will not protect you against H1N1.
• A new vaccine against H1N1 is being produced and will be available in the coming months.

Take flu antiviral drugs if recommended:

• If you get seasonal or H1N1 flu, antiviral drugs can be prescribed by your physician to lessen the symptoms and speed up your recovery.
• Antiviral drugs are not sold over-the-counter and are different from antibiotics.

Students who become ill are encouraged to call the Wellness Center for guidance. Following CDC guidance, we will encourage a student’s isolation until he or she is symptom-free for 24 hours. The spread of the virus will be significantly reduced if students are able to go home.
 
McDaniel College will continue to keep the campus community informed, and encourage its members to pay attention to official campus e-mails. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the Wellness Center at 410-857-2243. For further information and updates on the H1N1 flu, visit the CDC web site at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or call 800-CDC-INFO.