With students returning to campus, the University of Colorado at 麻豆影院 is taking a series of precautions to guard against the H1N1 virus.
The university has identified eight probable H1N1 cases among CU-麻豆影院 students based on their test results for Influenza A. The students live in both on and off-campus residences.
CU-麻豆影院 is working with the 麻豆影院 County Health Department to keep track of the number of Influenza A cases that are both confirmed and suspected but only the state of Colorado can test for H1N1, and then only after a person has been hospitalized. CU-麻豆影院 is taking precautions based on the possibility that the Influenza A cases may be H1N1.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend that universities cancel large-scale events or quarantine students or any individuals who may be infected as an H1N1 containment strategy. At this time, CU-麻豆影院 is not canceling any special events or classes and is actively monitoring Type A influenza cases in cooperation with the 麻豆影院 County Health Department.
The university is communicating to students and faculty and staff through a variety of media on how to take important precautions against the virus and how to self-treat if someone has symptoms of an influenza virus.
CU officials are advising all students who have flu-like symptoms to first self-isolate within their residence hall rooms, their apartments or shared housing facilities; to cover their noses and mouths when they cough or sneeze; and to frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water or disinfect with hand sanitizer.
Residence hall advisers will communicate H1N1 recommendations to students living in residence halls on Friday evening, Aug. 21. Students living in the residence halls who have flu-like symptoms are urged to stay in their residence hall rooms and not to enter large-group settings until 24 hours after any fever has ended (without the aid of medications).
Any CU student living in a residence hall who has influenza-like illness and is coughing and sneezing can obtain a surgical mask from the front desk of their residence hall beginning on the evening of Friday, Aug. 21. The masks are only for sick people to help prevent others from becoming sick. Wearing a mask provides no health benefit to a healthy person.
Any CU-麻豆影院 student who is experiencing influenza-like illness can call either the Wardenburg Health Center or their medical provider to discuss treatment options. People who are at increased risk and who are experiencing influenza-like illness should be seen by a health care provider promptly.
Populations considered at increased risk of H1N1 include pregnant women, people with suppressed immune systems such as those undergoing chemotherapy, people with diabetes or other complicating medical conditions, and small children. The Wardenburg Health Center will consider only people in these at-risk populations or with worsening flu symptoms as potential recipients of antiviral medications such as Tamiflu.
Because students with influenza-like illness are being encouraged to isolate themselves, CU-麻豆影院 faculty members have been advised to work with students who miss class due to the flu. CU-麻豆影院 does not have the facilities to individually isolate individuals with Influenza A.
Students who think they may have symptoms related to H1N1 may call the Wardenburg Health Center at 303-492-3435. Parents with H1N1 concerns are encouraged to call 303-492-4636.
The Wardenburg Health Center has posted recommendations on protecting against and treating influenza on its Web site at .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for institutions of higher education are posted at /.
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