H1N1 Parent Letter/ November 30, 2009
November 30, 2009
Dear Parent,
I want to give you an update on our experience to date with treating students with influenza-like illness. During the semester, we have followed Center for Disease Control recommendations for managing flu on campus, and we believe our efforts have minimized its impact on the entire Westmont community. In fact, we have exceeded CDC recommendations by asking students who are ill to come to the Health Center for a diagnosis. Students have been most cooperative, and we greatly appreciate their efforts to limit exposure to other students. The Academic Advising and Disability Services office has been extremely helpful by notifying professors when their students are ill and will miss class and by making arrangements for note-takers and rescheduling assignments and exams.
On-campus residents have two options when they are diagnosed with influenza-like illness (ILI). They can either go home, or they can stay in an isolation room until 24 hours after their fever has resolved. The isolation rooms are equipped with a private bathroom, and students receive a delivery of food three times a day. In addition, I give each student my cell phone number so I can be contacted anytime day or night. I also refer students to the local hospital when their symptoms indicate a need for hospitalization.
We do not staff the isolation rooms with health care professionals. As the parent of a college-age student, I can understand it if you wish to consider other options for your student’s care. Please know that I am available to talk through your concerns.
Students living off campus are asked to self-isolate in their own off-campus housing. Off-campus students also have the option of going home. As of today, 35 Westmont students have been diagnosed with influenza-like illness. On average, students’ fevers lasted two days, and all were able to return to classes after waiting 24 hours after their fever ended.
Our Health Center has received two shipments of H1N1 2009 and seasonal flu vaccines. Students at risk for developing complications associated with influenza were the first to be offered immunization. This high-risk group included those with: lung disease such as asthma or cystic fibrosis; heart disease; anemia, such as sickle cell anemia or thalassemia; diabetes; cancer; immune-system diseases such as multiple sclerosis, JRA, Grave’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, lupus erythematous, or ulcerative colitis; and seizure disorder or other neurological disorders such a myasthenia gravis.
We now have a limited number of vaccines available to all students and are offering them on a first-come, first-served basis. There are still some H1N1 vaccines available. Students may stop by the Health Center during regular hours to get vaccinated.
Some parents have asked me about the use of Tamiflu. The Center for Disease Control does not recommend Tamiflu for healthy individuals with an uncomplicated, mild infection. In addition, healthy individuals who are exposed to a person with influenza should not be given Tamiflu. To learn who should use Tamiflu, please see CDC information about antivirals. You can also find out who should be vaccinated against H1N1.
You can read more information about our strategy on our H1N1 update page. There is also a link on the westmont.edu home page.
Thank you for entrusting your student to Westmont. We take our responsibility to educate and care for them very seriously and are working hard to keep them healthy and well. Again, please know that I am available to talk with you about any concerns you may have.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Hernandez
Director of Health Services