As of 2 p.m. today, Saint Louis University has identified five suspected cases of novel H1N1 influenza A virus involving SLU students.  Four of the students live off campus and one lives on campus.  The students are being treated and will remain isolated until they have recovered and been free of fever without taking fever-reducing medication for at least 24 hours.  To date, these are the only suspected cases of novel H1N1 involving anyone in the SLU community; however, as testing is done, additional cases are possible in the days ahead.  All campus activities and classes are going on as scheduled.

Saint Louis University has developed plans and procedures to assist students, faculty and staff should they contract an influenza-like illness. All of the University's plans are in keeping with the latest CDC recommendations and are designed to minimize the spread of disease, and were developed by SLU’s Pandemic Response Planning Committee. 

With suspected cases of H1N1 involving SLU students, it is important for students, faculty and staff to be aware of the University’s plans for dealing with a larger outbreak of H1N1.

Symptoms of H1N1 flu include:

• A fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, chills and body aches
• Fatigue
• Some people who have H1N1 flu have reported diarrhea and vomiting

As with other influenza, those with chronic health problems might find their underlying medical problems worsen with the H1N1 flu.  
Students

Any student who experiences these flu-like symptoms should seek treatment from the Student Health and Counseling Center (977-2323) and limit their exposure to others. Only students with symptoms should come for H1N1 testing and treatment. In order to limit the spread of the flu, any students with suspected cases of H1N1 should not go to class or other activities, and must limit their exposure to other members of the SLU community by either staying home or relocating to an off-campus Recovery Center staffed by the University.  More specifically, here are the procedures being implemented for students experiencing flu symptoms:

• Off-Campus Students:  Remain at home and do not return to campus until you are fever free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil. Commuting students who have flu-like symptoms should call the Student Information Line at 977-7326 for more information.
• On-Campus Students:  Residential students who are within driving distance from home are asked to return home, if possible, to recover and until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol or Advil. 

On-campus students who cannot return home will be temporarily relocated to an off-campus Recovery Center to be housed at the University-owned Manresa Retreat Center, located on Washington Avenue, just a few blocks from campus.  The Recovery Center will be staffed 24/7 by University health personnel.

Any diagnosed residential students who have flu-like symptoms should call the Student Information Line at 977-7326 for more detailed information.

If possible, students who have been diagnosed with the flu should email Scott Smith, dean of students, at ssmit134@slu.edu, so that your professors and academic adviser can be notified of your illness.  In your email, please list your name, Banner ID number, your college or school, and whether you live on campus or off campus.

Parents

The University has set up a Parents Information Line (977-2229) to answer questions and provide information to the parents of SLU students.  Additionally, the latest University information about H1N1 will be posted daily on the SLU Flu Information Web Site at www.slu.edu/flu.

Faculty and Staff

All employees who have influenza-like symptoms should seek medical treatment from their personal physicians.
 
Employees who do not work in health care and have flu-like symptoms should remain home at least 24 hours after they are fever free without taking fever-reducing medication.
 
Employees who work in health care should not return to work for seven days from the start of their first symptoms or 24 hours after symptoms have subsided, whichever longer. They must be cleared by the department of employee health to return to the job, and should schedule an appointment by calling (314) 268-5499.

SLU’s Pandemic Response Planning Committee is continuing to monitor the situation, and will be providing updates to the University community.  Additionally, the latest information can be found at SLU’s Flu Information Web Site (http://www.slu.edu/flu), which will be updated regularly.