Student and Family Resources

Flu - What You Can Do....Preparing for the Flu

The 2011-2012 academic year will include planning for seasonal influenza. The H1H1 influenza virus has now entered the "post-pandemic" phase, meaning disease activity around the world has returned to levels usually seen for seasonal influenza. As public health agencies monitor and plan for the flu season, at Lesley, we will stay in touch with those agencies as we strive to keep the Lesley community healthy through the flu season.  We encourage you to read the booklet "Flu Care Booklet", prepare your home by following the recommendations, and keep this booklet on hand in case you need to refer to it later. Flu Care Booklet

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) and other agencies such as your local health department and hospitals have plans to respond to a flu pandemic. You should prepare a plan for your family too. Being prepared for a flu outbreak will also help you be prepared for seasonal flu. More people will get sick during a pandemic than during the regular flu season. This means that more people will need medical attention. During a pandemic, it may be hard to reach your doctor on the phone or to arrange an office visit. Doctor's offices, hospitals, and emergency rooms may be more crowded than usual. For these reasons it is most important to be ready to take care of people with milder cases of the flu at home. Talk to your doctor about how you can be prepared if you or a family member gets the flu. Talk with your family so they understand about the flu and ways in which to prevent it and treat it. Prepare your home with the supplies suggested in the Flu Care Booklet. We can not stress enough the importance of developing a family plan.

RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS

• Symptom Checklist [doc]
• Flu Care Booklet [pdf]

For Flu-like illness reporting:

• Students should contact the Student Health Service 617.349.8222 or shs@lesley.edu within the business hours of:
• Monday and Tuesday 8:30am -7:00pm
• Wednesday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
• After hours -The student should contact a Resident Director OR the Public Safety office x8888

OFF CAMPUS (NON-RESIDENTIAL) STUDENTS

• Symptom Checklist [doc]
• Flu Care Booklet [pdf]

For Flu-like illness reporting:

• Students should contact the Student Health Service 617.349.8222 or shs@lesley.edu within the business hours of:
• Monday and Tuesday 8:30am -7:00pm
• Wednesday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
• After hours -The student should contact a Resident Director OR the Public Safety office x8888

STUDENTS ENROLLED THROUGH NATIONAL OFF CAMPUS PROGRAMS

• Symptom Checklist [doc]
• Flu Care Booklet [pdf]

For Flu-like illness reporting:

• Students should be directed to Michelle Chaurette-McKenna, Director of Student Care at x8569.
• After hour program calls should be referred to Regional Operations Managers, who are on call 24-7.

Below are the states covered by each Regional Operations Manager:

• Keena Braxton, 866.600.7033
  AL, GA, NC, SC
• Annette Maclean, 866.600.7034
  MA, ME, NH
• Fred Jozovich, 866.600.1806
  AK, CA, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY
• Carrie Van Ness, 866.699.7035
  CO, MO, MN, NE, NM, SD, WI

** Please refer to your state and/or local depatment of public health for more information.

FAMILIES

Flu Symptoms

• Do you have a cough?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Do you have a headache, body aches or chills?
• Do you have a fever of 100°F or more?

If you answered yes to a fever of 100°F or more and any of the other symptoms, you have an "influenza-like illness!" (flu sometimes also causes nasal symptoms, diarrhea and vomiting).

While most people will experience these symptoms for 3-4 days, there are some people who are at increased risk -Some people with underlying medical issues are at increased risk of complications from influenza. Asthma, diabetes, heart conditions and pregnancy are several of the conditions which increase an individual's risk.

• Flu Care Booklet [pdf]

Family Plan In The Event Of Flu-Like Illness Of Your Child

Because Lesley does not have an infirmary to handle an outbreak, we are asking all residential students and their families to develop a plan to get home should you develop influenza symptoms. This is both for your safety and comfort as well as the safety of your fellow students and others.

PREVENTION

Wash your hands diligently and cover your cough.

 These are simple but essential practices:

You know how to wash your hands, right? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ELm7VjrFg4.

• Cough Etiquette – "Cover your mouth when you cough," a familiar message, and an important one. Follow the guidelines below, and take notice of this Cover your Cough flyer [pdf].

GET VACCINATED-Seasonal flu spreads easily from person to person. The CDC is recommending that people get the seasonal flu vaccine when it becomes available later this fall. We urge you and everyone at Lesley to have a heightened sense of concern for your health and that of our community.

IF YOU HAVE FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS, you have a real responsibility to help prevent the spread to those around you. If you have flu symptoms, stay home and do not come to work until at least 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medicine such as Tylenol.

Flu Symptoms

• cough
• sore throat
• headache, body aches or chills
• fever of 100°F or more
• learn more about flu symptoms and preventive behavior

Should you seek emergency care at a hospital?

Emergency warning signs that require immediate medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

If flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough (could indicate pneumonia.)