H1N1 Prevention

Public health officials are predicting a resurgence of H1N1 flu (Swine Flu) cases this fall. Like other colleges and universities, Milligan is keenly aware of the potential threat this flu presents to our campus community. The college's response plan to any H1N1 outbreak on campus also includes consultation and cooperation with state and local health officials.

The overwhelming majority of cases continue to experience mild symptoms and recover fully without the need for medical care. Prevention is the best step, so we are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Milligan:

• Housekeeping is taking extra steps in cleaning high traffic areas (dorm lobbies, classroom facilities, office areas, athletic and fitness sites) more frequently and with special cleansers

• Touchless towel dispensers are being installed in public bathrooms throughout campus

• Hand-sanitizer stations have been established in all campus offices and high-traffic areas

• Antibacterial soap is used in all public bathroom soap dispensers

• Prevention and hygiene tips have been widely distributed and posted throughout campus

• Residence life staff are conducting regular room inspections to encourage frequent and thorough cleaning of dorm rooms and bathrooms

• If a residential student is sick, they should contact their RA or RD immediately. The residence hall staff is prepared to assist these students with obtaining meals and health care.

• Milligan will tentatively offer the seasonal flu vaccine on campus September 30 or October 7. We will inform the campus when the date is confirmed.

• We still do not know yet if/when the H1N1 flu vaccine will be available but will notify campus as we know.

We need your help:

• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Sudden onset of illness, fever >100.4 F, chills, cough, headache, sore throat, body aches and pain, feeling tired and weak, and possibly diarrhea and vomiting. 

• Practice good health practices. Wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing, and maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and an infected person. 

• Avoid people who are sick. People with influenza are considered to be contagious for up to 1 day before symptoms appear. If exposed to an infected person, it may be 1-3 days before you develop symptoms. Once you experience any symptoms, with or without fever, it is recommended that you avoid contact with others until the symptoms subside or you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications). 

• Stay home or in your dorm room if you have the flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without the use of fever reducing medications). Avoid contact with others, drink lots of fluids, take fever reducing medicines, rest, eat healthy foods, treat symptoms with over the counter medicines. Anti-viral medications are available with prescription to possibly reduce the severity of symptoms. Residential students should contact their RA or RD for assistance. Students should contact their professors by email, and employees should contact their supervisor. Click here for "How To Care for Yourself or Others..." 

• Go to the doctor IF you have a fever for more than 3 days, or difficulty breathing or wheezing with breathing, or persistent vomiting or diarrhea, or if symptoms worsen, you should see a physician. Seek emergency medical care if you experience pain in your abdomen or chest, sudden dizziness or confusion, severe vomiting or diarrhea, trouble waking up or if your urine is dark yellow, has an odor or is less than usual in amount or frequency.

• Consider being vaccinated for seasonal flu. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the influenza virus and its complications.  The CDC highly encourages people to get the seasonal flu vaccination this year. These vaccines are for regular strains of the seasonal flu, not for the H1N1 flu. It should be available in 1-2 weeks through private physicians, health departments, local pharmacies and walk-in clinics. Click here for details on when this vaccine will be offered on campus and in our area.

• Consider the H1N1 vaccination. The CDC indicates that there will be a vaccine for H1N1 available in the fall. The availability of this vaccine to private physicians is not confirmed at this point. The vaccine will be available through the local health departments. Please remember that this information is changing almost daily. The H1N1 vaccine will be a series of two vaccines given three weeks apart. It is highly recommended for persons from ages 1-24, those who are pregnant, anyone with a chronic illness or a compromised immune system, and healthcare providers. At this time, it is undetermined if we will be able to offer this vaccine on campus but we will let you know where it is available.

Tips for staying healthy include: