Last updated on November 23, 2009 @ 9:57 AM
More vaccine doses expected
Purdue University Calumet, through its Student Health Services Center, continues to receive weekly reports of students suffering from with H1N1-like symptoms. There also have been reports of faculty and staff members who have been ill with flu-like symptoms.
Previously this semester, the Lake County Health Department (LCHD) supplied Purdue Calumet with 500 doses of inactivated H1N1 vaccine. These 500 doses have been administered. The LCHD has promised to provide us additional vaccine doses.
All students interested in the vaccine should continue to check with the Student Health Services Center by phoning 219/989-1235. Update announcements relating vaccine availability for students, faculty and staff also will be published on this web site.
It is imperative that students, faculty and staff continue to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines and remain at home if they experience Influenza-like Illnesses. These symptoms include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Less common with this particular influenza illness are vomiting and diarrhea. In high risk groups, severe illnesses and deaths have occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus. We can protect these groups by remaining home until we are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, as recommended by the CDC.
Purdue Calumet residential students suffering influenza-like illnesses should practice the same measures, as well as remain in their bedroom separated from roommates and common University Village areas, as much as possible.
All students with influenza-like symptoms are encouraged to seek medical attention at the Student Health Services Center (ANNEX 32). As deemed appropriate, medications and supplies will be provided to limit illness exposure to others.
Additional links that specifically address issues related to the H1N1 pandemic are listed by subject for your convenience below.
Situation update
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
International update
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/international/
General information
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Recommendations for specific groups
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/groups.htm
Daily updates and state reports
http://www.flu.gov/
Higher education recommendations
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/
Travel and H1N1
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/novel-h1n1-flu.aspx
Vaccine information
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm
Vaccine information for clinicians
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/professional.htm
Last updated on October 21, 2009 @ 9:56 AM
H1N1 vaccine available for students
Purdue Calumet’s Student Health Services Center has received a limited supply of H1N1 influenza inactivated vaccine. Similar to a seasonal flu shot, this vaccine is intended to be injected into one’s arm.
While the vaccine is available to any Purdue Calumet student on a first-come, first-served basis, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) strongly encourages students who fit any of the following descriptions to be vaccinated:
- Pregnant women
- Those who live with or care for infants younger than 6-months-old.
- Health care and emergency medical personnel
- Those 24-years-old or younger
- Those ages 25 to 64 who suffer from chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system
As additional supplies of the vaccine become available, the CDC also encourages the following individuals to be vaccinated:
- Healthy 25-to-64-year-olds
- Adults 65 & older
More information about the H1N1 vaccine available to Purdue Calumet students can be obtained by contacting the university’s Student Health Services Center at shscenter@calumet.purdue.edu or 219/989-1235.
Other information about H1N1 influenza & vaccine is available at the following web site:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf
Last updated on October 7, 2009 @ 9:15 AM
2 students have recovered from H1N1
Two Purdue University Calumet students who recently tested positive for H1N1 influenza have recovered. The Purdue Calumet Student Health Services Center continues to test multiple students with H1N1-like symptoms each week. Suspected H1N1 specimens are sent to the Indiana Dept. of Health for official diagnosis.
Other information about H1N1 and appropriate response and precaution relative to influenza is available at the Centers for Disease Control link: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
Last updated on October 6, 2009 @ 4:45 PM
2 H1N1 confirmations
Two members of the Purdue University Calumet campus community have tested positive for H1N1 influenza. Test results from three others are pending.
Other information about H1N1 and appropriate response and precaution relative to influenza is available at the Centers for Disease Control link: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
Last updated on September 11, 2009 @ 4:30 PM
Students not infected with H1N1
To date, Purdue University Calumet is reporting no positive cases of H1N1 influenza.
Though Purdue Calumet’s Student Health Services Center recently treated seven students for H1N1-like symptoms, diagnosis of specimens submitted to the Indiana Dept. of Health indicated that six students suffered from another influenza type. The other student was diagnosed as negative for all influenza types.
Other information about H1N1 and appropriate response and precaution relative to influenza is available at the Centers for Disease Control link: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.
Last updated on September 4, 2009 @ 9:35 PM
PUC monitoring flu symptoms of students
Purdue University Calumet is monitoring the status of seven students treated this week for flu-like symptoms similar to H1N1 influenza.
The students were treated at the university’s Student Health Services Center, which, subsequently, sent specimens to the Indiana Dept. of Health for diagnosis.
“Though this is not the traditional flu season, influenza viruses—H1N1 and others—can be spread anytime by sneezing; coughing; touching contaminated surfaces; and transferring the hand touch to nose, eyes and mouth,” PUC Student Health Services Center Director Maureen Panares said. “I cannot overemphasize the importance of exercising precaution and good health habits now that we are back to having a full campus of students, faculty and staff.”
Precaution and good health habits, according to Panares, include:
- Washing hands frequently;
- Covering one’s nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing/sneezing, then discarding the used tissue in the trash;
- Avoiding the touching of eyes, mouth and nose;
- Staying home at least 24 hours after a fever subsides.
Basic flu-like symptoms include fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches and fatigue. For more serious symptoms, such as severe/persistent vomiting, sudden dizziness, shortness of breath or breathing difficulty, chest or abdomen pain or pressure, or confusion, individuals should seek medical care immediately.
Panares also warns that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recently issued an alert that pregnant women have an increased risk for complications associated with H1N1 influenza. More information is available at the following link: webs.calumet.purdue.edu/pregnantwomen.
Other information about H1N1 and appropriate response and precaution relative to influenza is available at this Centers for Disease Control link: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
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