Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Information


Update: July 30, 2010

Your health matters! We have pledged to keep our Ashford community informed about any occurrences of the H1N1 flu virus.

Please review the detailed information on this page regarding the flu and H1N1 virus. Learn how you can help and what Ashford University is doing to prevent the outbreak and spread of the flu virus on campus. Be assured that University staff members are working closely with the Clinton and Scott County Health Departments to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning Ashford University. This page will be updated with new information as it becomes available.

Vaccination: CDC recommends influenza vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. CDC encourages persons who want to protect themselves against 2009 H1N1 to get vaccinated, including people 65 years and older. While less likely to get sick with 2009 H1N1 than younger people, people 65 and older are at high risk of serious complications if they do become ill. Vaccination of people with certain health conditions is important because they are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications. Health conditions that increase the risk of being hospitalized from 2009 H1N1 include lung disease like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart, or neurologic disease, and pregnancy.

A Note on Nasal Spray Vaccine

Like every other state, more than one out of every five doses we receive is in the nasal spray (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) formulation. While some residents have expressed concern about the safety of the H1N1 nasal spray, DPH would like to assure everyone that LAIV is a safe and effective vaccine option for healthy people 2 years through 49 years of age who are not pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

How You Can Help

As you may know, the flu virus can be spread easily from person to person. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the outbreak and spread of the flu virus at Ashford University in order to maintain smooth operations every day, but we need your help. Please review the list below to understand what you can do to help:

  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
  • Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This determination should be made without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don't go to class or work.
  • Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also, if you are at higher risk for flu complications from the 2009 H1N1 flu virus ("swine flu"), you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

What Ashford University is Doing

H1N1 vaccination
Student Kira Kavaro receives a dose of the nasal-spray H1N1 flu vaccine during a free flu clinic at Ashford University. Free flu vaccinations were provided at all students, faculty and staff members.

Ashford University will attempt to take every precaution possible to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students, staff, and faculty. The University has implemented many recommendations from the Clinton County Public Health Agency (via information from Genesis VNA) to reduce the health impacts of the H1N1 influenza virus. Prevention is the focus in the fight against the virus. The precautions that have been implemented include the following:

  • Informational postings and instructions on hand washing techniques. Posters have been placed throughout our facilities and our bathrooms to remind students and staff of the importance of hand washing in reducing the spread of disease.
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers and pumps have been strategically placed throughout our facilities for convenient usage. This placement includes providing each dorm room and office with a personal hand sanitizer pump. Additional supplies will be available for purchase by visiting our Bookstore.
  • Individual flu kits, provided by Genesis VNA, will be given to students or staff who exhibit respiratory and flu symptoms. The kits include a mask, hand sanitizer, gloves and tissue. The masks can be used for ill students or staff who are coughing/sneezing and may need to stay at school for a period of time until someone can pick them up or until transportation can be arranged.
  • Housekeeping services has been increased to cover high contact areas throughout the day/week.
  • Resident Assistants, Academics, and Human Resources will continue to monitor attendance of students, staff, and faculty for absences related to illness. An absenteeism rate of 10% or higher will be reported to the local health department for additional recommendations.
  • Students, staff, or faculty exhibiting flu-like symptoms will be encouraged to stay home or in their residence hall until they are fever free for 24 hours. Flu symptoms include fever or chills AND cough or sore throat.

For the most up-to-date information on flu, visit www.flu.gov, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).