Welcome Back! The start of a new school year is always an exciting time at Wayne State. Many of our students are focused on courses, schedules and social activities. We recognize the trust our students place in us when they come to campus. A priority for us includes maintenance of a healthy environment. We take this responsibility with the utmost seriousness.

Because of the recent outbreak of the H1N1 influenza, formerly known as the swine flu, Wayne State has undertaken extensive preparations to keep the campus community healthy and well-informed. The WSU Influenza Preparedness Standing Committee, active for three years, met with increased frequency over the summer to further refine plans, share the latest information and identify procedures to ensure your health and safety in the event a serious outbreak of H1N1 materializes.

As the fall 2009 flu season continues to unfold, we want to share important information and pass along some advice.

• As a general rule, don’t miss class. Class attendance is a strong predictor of academic success.
• However, if you must miss class due to illness, convey this information prior to class to your instructor. Instructors are being asked to be flexible regarding student absences due to influenza.
• If you think you have flu, you may not need to see a physician if symptoms are mild. If you have questions or concerns, contact the Campus Health Center at (313) 577-5041 or nursemary@wayne.edu or on the Web at http://health.wayne.edu.

If you believe you have symptoms, here is guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• “The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea” from http://www.flu.gov/general/index.html, retrieved August 28, 2009.
• “Those with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (called “self-isolation”), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines” from. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm, retrieved August 28, 2009.
• The good news is that you can reduce your risk of illness by following a few simple rules recommended by the CDC.
• “Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• “Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• “If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.” http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
• “Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• “Try to avoid close contact with sick people.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• “If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.” http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
• “Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/. Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm”.

In the past, influenza vaccinations have been available from the Campus Health Center. They will be available again this year.

As we move into fall, please expect additional emails. Our goal is to minimize the impact of any flu outbreak on campus. Part of keeping our students healthy is keeping them informed and updated.

Below are links to Wayne State Web pages and links to state, national and international health organizations that have the latest on the H1N1 situation. We will continue to update these Web pages for information specifically pertinent to Wayne State’s monitoring and response should a flu outbreak occur.

Have a productive and healthy fall 2009.

Sincerely,

Valerie M. Parisi, MD, MPH, MBA
Interim Dean, Wayne State University School of Medicine

Barbara Redman, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean, Wayne State College of Nursing

David J. Strauss, PhD
Wayne State Dean of Students

Information on the Wayne State response to the flu:
http://fluinfo.wayne.edu

Campus Health Center: http://health.wayne.edu.

Michigan Department of Community Health:
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2940_2955_22779_53388-213600--,00.html

Information on the flu from U.S. health officials:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

CDC Recommendations for colleges and universities:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/

World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/en/