N1H1 Flu Policy
As we are approaching the flu season, the athletic department is taking several steps to attempt to decrease the spreading of the illness. First, we are encouraging everyone to follow these common sense rules to decrease your risk of infection:
- If you think you are ill with flu, avoid close contact with others as much as possible. Do not go to class or other crowded places like the dining hall. Stay in your room as much as possible and get plenty of rest. Let your dean and instructors know if you are missing class due to illness.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water; use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Rub gel into hands until dry.
- Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Use tissues one time only.
- Put used tissues in a wastebasket immediately after use.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if you don’t have a tissue.
- Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing. Use soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone you suspect is sick.
- Eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water
- Exercise on a regular basis and get plenty of rest.
- Don’t share drinks, food, toothbrushes or eating utensils
Secondly, it is important that everyone is familiar with the symptoms of the H1N1 flu which are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include:
- Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
If you have a fever greater than 100°F or 37.8°C you should contact the health center immediately. The health center is open 24 hours a day starting 9 am Monday through Friday night at 11pm. The weekend hours are 9 am to 3 pm. Any student-athlete that has a fever of at least 100°F or 37.8°C will be withheld from participation until the fever is gone.
Only go to the Bryn Mawr Hospital Emergency room in extreme cases, as described below, as a usual visit to the ER for the flu will cost approximately $1000.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Also, we are requiring that every student-athlete has their own water bottle in order to prevent the spreading of the flu virus through the use of common water bottles. If a student-athlete does not have their own bottle, one will be provided for them free of charge by the athletic trainers. These water bottles will be the sole responsibility of each student-athlete for the academic year. If a student-athlete losses a bottle it can be replaced for a fee of $5.
Lastly, the athletic training room is requiring all student-athletes to shower after all practices and games prior to using the whirlpool or receiving treatments and/or evaluations by the athletic training staff. You do not have to shower prior to applying ice.
Helpful websites:
www. mainlinehealth.org
www.flu.gov/faq/index.html
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
When the Health Center is closed: Emergencies: On-call Service: |
