Influenza Updates
Dear UNA student,
Welcome to the University of North Alabama! The University Health and Wellness Services staff looks forward to helping you maintain your health while at UNA.
Although the flu activity has been declining in the last few weeks, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is still reporting sporadic outbreaks in the United States and worldwide. Flu activity can be difficult to predict. The 2009 H1N1 Flu virus has affected young adults and children especially hard, causing illness, hospitalization, and even death. Symptoms of the flu can include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. It’s important to note that not everyone will experience all of these symptoms. We encourage you to take some precautions to protect yourself:
- Stay away from people who are sick or coughing or sneezing. The main way the flu is spread is through cough and sneezes.
- Stay home if you are sick. We recommend that you be 24 hours without a fever, without having taken fever reducing medications, before you return to your activities.
- Practice good hand washing! Not only will this protect you from the flu, but from other illnesses as well. Wash hands with soap and water, or use the alcohol hand rubs if water is not available. Clean hands often!
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve. Please don’t use your hands.
- Don’t share utensils or drink after anyone.
- Talk to your health care provider about vaccination. The University Health and Wellness center offers the Flu shot to students free of charge! Watch your university email this fall for information on dates and times the flu vaccine will be available.
- Bring with you to campus: a thermometer, ibuprofen or acetaminophen, hand gel, tissues, cough drops, bottle water, sports drinks, canned soup or food easily cooked in microwave, crackers and other nonperishable food items
Medical Services include: treatment of short-term illnesses and minor injuries; basic physical exams; pap smears; allergy injections; select immunizations and vaccines; wellness screenings; and health education offerings. Medical examination fees are covered by payment of the student health fee. Medications, Lab tests, & medical supplies are provided for a minimum cost.
Counseling Services include: Assessment, individual and group counseling, referrals, consultation, and psycho-educational programs. Actively enrolled students who have paid the student health fee can utilize counseling services.
The University Health and Wellness Services are here to help you have a successful college career. Please feel free to call or come by and have your questions answered. There are also valuable resources available here on our website
Sincerely,
The University Health and Wellness Services Staff
Signs and symptoms of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus:
- Fever (often high)
- Cough
- Body or muscle aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Chills
- Sore Throat
- sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
Should I Be Tested for Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus?
If you do not feel well, there is no need to make a special visit to your primary care physician (PCP) to find out if you have Swine Flu. If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. On the otherhand, if you are sick AND have a fever, please contact your PCP.
Our Medical Director, Dr. Auxier, does not feel there is cause for alarm, just precaution and some preliminary preparations. The medication Tamiflu does seem to be effective in treating this illness and is available locally. Seeking immediate medical attention and beginning treatment within the first 48 hours is the key to minimizing the impact of the illness.
The American College Health Association has put out this warning concerning the illegal sales of antiviral medications. It is important to understand that these medications, when prescribed by a medical provider, are very useful in minimizing the impact of the flu and may actually prevent the spread. However, when taken inappropriately they may actually produce a resistance to the medication and in essence strenthen the virus. This is how the flu becomes stronger and spreads more easily. Please heed this warning!
FDA, FTC Warn Public of Fraudulent 2009 H1N1 Influenza Products
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission are alerting the public to be wary of Internet sites and other promotions for products that claim to diagnose, prevent, mitigate, treat or cure the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The agencies are also advising operators of offending web sites that they must take prompt action to correct and/or remove promotions of these fraudulent products or face enforcement action.
Please visit www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW02007.html for full details.
