Kettering University

Important Information on H1N1

Public Health Officials in Michigan and Washington, D.C., predict we will experience significant increases in cases of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) this academic year. Unlike most flu strains, H1N1 has hit college age students particularly hard. While we hope no outbreaks occur at Kettering, we are prepared to manage student cases of this flu on campus.

Even more flu clinics added:

The three flu clinics scheduled for Nov. 10, 12 & 17 have been expanded to include Nov. 19 & 24 at new locations. Both the nasal and shot forms of the vaccine are now available and the priority groups have been expanded. Get more details.

Please review the following information and recommendations and share them with your family:

Learn how to prevent contagions: Wash your hands with soap and water often for a minimum of 20 seconds, about the time it takes to sing two verses of “Happy Birthday”. Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue, if possible, and properly dispose of the tissue. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers (you will find them available in many campus locations). Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Don’t share food, drinks, utensils, or anything else that touches someone’s mouth. Avoid close contact with sick people. The virus can survive for long periods of time on surfaces, so wipe down surfaces that are used by others, including desks, computer keyboards, door knobs, etc.

Learn flu symptoms: Fever, coughing and/or sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and/or body aches, chills, fatigue. Also, many H1N1 cases have reported vomiting and diarrhea.

Visit the Wellness Center or your primary care physician if you become ill: If you are diagnosed with the flu, we will notify your professors. They will give you an opportunity to make up missed assignments or exams.

Get an H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available. You can get updates about vaccinations and other pertinent information on the this page.

If you become ill, self-isolate until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-lowering medications (acetaminophen, ibuprofen). Do not return to classes until you have fully recovered, which may take several days. We recommend students return to their family homes or self-isolate at campus residences. If these are not an option, you may arrange to stay in the self-isolation unit we’ve established in Thompson Hall by contacting Director of Residence Life Antonio Riggs, 810.762.9537, ariggs@kettering.edu. This unit is available to all students regardless of where you reside during your academic term. We will provide meals at minimal cost to students who have not purchased a meal plan. The isolation unit includes television, internet access and a computer lab.

Be patient: Should H1N1 spread at Kettering, all members of the community will be impacted. Faculty may have to cancel classes. Offices may be understaffed. While we anticipate remaining open throughout the term, faculty and staff absences may require flexibility of all of us.

Keep up to date: Check this page as well as announcements on the Current Students announcements scroll. Also, check http://www.flu.gov/index.html for the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control.

Help us help you: Take adequate precautions and keep informed. Contact the Wellness Center if you have any questions:

Campus Center, First Floor
810.762.9650
wellness@kettering.edu

Thanks for you cooperation.

Sincerely,

See a copy of the University’s H1N1 Response Plan.
Nadine Thor, Director of Environmental Health Services, 810.762.7904

To request a copy of the H1N1 Response Plan for the specific areas listed below contact:
Antonio Riggs, Director of Residence Life, 810.762.9537
Mike Schaal, Director of Recreation Services, 810.762.9733
Robert Marias, Director of Greek Life, 810.762.9743
Deborah Williams-Roberts, Director of the Wellness Center, 810.762.9650