In a campus e-mail sent this morning, Chancellor Michael Martin said “personal responsibility” is the best defense against the H1N1 virus, or swine flu.
A group of University students were recently diagnosed with Influenza A, likely to have been caused by H1N1.
“While the flu is not a cause for panic or fear, it is certainly a reminder to us all that we should take precautions to try to stay healthy,” Martin said.
Martin reminded students that the Student Health Center is fully prepared to treat students and that the University’s Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the situation.
“At this time, we do not anticipate that the flu will cause any interruption in class schedules, LSU events or services provided by the University,” Martin said.
He said classroom and work-place exposure to the flu is only significant if one has had close, face-to-face contact with the ill person in the 24 hours before they started showing flu-like symptoms.
Martin said its important to remember that the H1N1 virus has proved to be a milder illness compared to the seasonal flu for most people. The virus is spread typically by coughing or sneezing, but can live on surfaces for 2-8 hours.
Martin listed the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines against the flu:
– Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away after you use it.
– Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
– Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– If diagnosed with any type of flu, stay home from work or school, if possible, and limit contact with others.
“It is recommended by medical personnel that members of the LSU community who contract Influenza A and/or H1N1 stay at home for 7 days after their symptoms began, or until they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours, whichever is longer,” Martin said.
The Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (medical clinics and pharmacy only).——Contact Kyle Bove at [email protected]