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SCHREINER UNIVERSITY
HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER
In the Mountaineer Fitness Center 
[map]
CMB 6250, 2100 Memorial Blvd.
Kerrville, TX  78028-5697
phone: (830) 792-7279  *  fax: (830) 792-7304
email: health@schreiner.edu

HOURS: 9 am - 5 pm
Monday - Friday (except holidays)

click here for INFLUENZA A (H1N1) ADVISORY


View the Student/Parent Online Health Magazine

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FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:  DIAL 911
(depending on your location, you may need to dial 9 for an outside line)

AFTER HOURS CARE
In the event of minor problems, care needs can be discussed with your residence hall director or assistant. If the problem requires medical intervention, you can call your personal doctor or the doctor on call for:
Family Practice Associates at 830-896-4711
Boerne Acute Care Center at 830-249-9995
Pain Care Clinics at 830-792-4805
(located inside Ultrafit Center on Bandera Hwy in Kerrville)
Peterson Regional Medical Center at 830-896-4517
FOR MEDICAL EMERGENCIES:   Dial 911
You may need to dial 9 for an outside line depending on the phone you are using.
Medical Emergencies include such life threatening conditions as:
       • Difficulty breathing
       • Major injury
       • Severe bleeding that won't stop
       • Unconsciousness or drug overdose
       • Convulsions that will not stop

In the event of minor illness or injury if the Health and Wellness Center is closed, The Franklin Clinic (830-792-5800) is open from 8am until 6pm Monday through Friday and Saturday. The center is closed on Sunday. The center is located at 723 Hill Country Drive, Suite C, Kerrville (corner of Hill Country Drive and South 16 across from Albertson’s). As a walk-in medical clinic for minor illness and injury, they can treat sore throats and colds, ear infections and fevers, flu symptoms, sprains and strains, minor lacerations, insect and animal bites, minor eye injuries, rashes and minor burns. Testing includes lab tests, x-rays and rapid strep screen. On Sundays, please go to Peterson Regional Medical Center (830)896-4200) located at 551 Hill Country Drive.

HEALTH ADVISORY

A student asks:  Why such an uproar over the Influenza A (H1N1)? .... details
Sunday, October 4, 2009
From the Director of Health and Wellness
To all students, staff & faculty:

From what we are seeing in the Health and Wellness Center, the flu can start our with mild cold like-symptoms and then progress to other more severe symptoms with or without fever - or, it can hit you hard from the beginning starting with cough & fever!

Per the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services:

People may have only one or two symptoms besides the fever, or they may have many. People can infect others with flu even before they show symptoms (24 to 48 hours), and they remain contagious for seven or more days after they become sick.

Signs & symptoms of flu:
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- body aches and or headache
- fever {chills, hot & cold - may include chills &/or cold sweats}
- exhaustion
- fatigue
- can include nausea, vomiting and or diarrhea

What to do if you have some of the above symptoms:
1. Notify Health & Wellness. Call 830-792-7279 (do not e-mail) to talk with a nurse to review your symptoms & to determine the need for medication. You do not have to go in to the Health & Wellness Center to be seen as most people with flu do not need medical treatment.  People at risk of complications from flu may be prescribed antiviral medication. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses & should not be requested.

2. Self isolate - this protect others - it's the right thing to do!
Stay home if you get sick. Stay home from work, school, errands, and limit close contact with others to keep from infecting them. In most cases people with flu will get better without medical attention.
- if it is inconvenient for you to go home, stay in your room or apartment
- use a mask when answering the door & when someone is in the room with you
- use hand washing precautions (or hand sanitizer when hand washing is not convenient)
- wipe down shared faucet and bathroom fixtures, light switches door knows, microwave & fridge handles, TV remotes, etc. with sanitizer or Lysol type spray
- wait to be around people until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications & you no longer have a cough
- enlist a "flu buddy to bring food and or supplies to your room when needed. If you need
- additional food supplies, contact Health & Wellness who will alert Sodexo Dining Services to
- deliver a specially prepared "flu" food box contains six meals, snacks & beverages) to your room. Accordingly, six meals will be charged to your declining balance.

3. Notify your room mate or suite mates of your illness.
Remind to use hand washing precautions & practice social distancing. If they wish to change rooms, they should contact Jason Smith at 830-792-7280.

4. Notify your professors of your illness & to review with them how to keep up with your studies.
The Health and Wellness Office, working through the Registrar’s Office, will notify academic advisors when a student has the flu or flu-like symptoms. The academic advisor, serving as liaison between the student and his or her faculty, will notify the faculty about the illness and, in doing so, validate that the student has been advised by Schreiner University to self-isolate.

A student who is advised to self-isolate has the following responsibilities:
1) Contact professors by e-mail or telephone to communicate your health status.
2) Request coursework, notes, etc. in order to stay as up-to-date in each class as possible.
3) Submit coursework as possible through e-mail or SchreinerOne while out of class.
4) Communicate with your academic advisor by e-mail or telephone, letting the advisor know which—if any—faculty have not responded to your e-mails & whether this illness places you in jeopardy of successfully completing any courses.
5) Communicate with your academic advisor when your fever has broken for 24 hours that you are returning to your classes.

5. Health & Wellness Instructions to help minimize your symptoms while you are recuperating from the flu:
- push your fluids to maintain hydration Rationale: When you are ill, you metabolize your bodily fluids and dehydrate more frequently. Drink lots of water, Gatorade, PowerAde, juice, etc. (avoid caffeinated beverages as these tend to dehydrate you) (avoid milk products as this increase mucous & sputum production) Warm or hot beverages usually cause less coughing. Hot tea with honey & lemon will soothe & may help heal your throat more quickly as honey is loaded with antioxidants. You can just take a couple of teaspoons of honey at any time! Recent studies indicate honey may help decrease cough. Rationale: The faster your throat heals, the faster the cough goes away.
- take ibuprophen (Motrin or Advil) for fever, headache & discomfort, one tablet 4 times per day (mealtime and bedtime). If one tablet does not control the fever, headache or discomfort you may take two as directed on package (if you are allergic to ibuprophen, substitute Tylenol, one tablet 4 times per day as instructed above). When you have had no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medications & you no longer are coughing, you may return to class, work & or sports.
- take Claritin D 24 (generic is fine) once per day to help shrink down your swollen membranes - throat, tonsils and lymph nodes, etc. and dry you up your drainage. (do not take if allergic to pseudophedrine HCL or loratidine)
- take Mucinex DM two times per day to help your body thin & remove respiratory mucous. Rationale: Stagnant mucous provides more fuel for infection. (do not take if allergic to guaifenesen or dextromethorphan)
- gargle frequently with salt water (mix 1 tsp salt in 16 oz bottle water & swish & gargle, to bath your throat with salt water - like swimming in the ocean, things heal faster!). Do not swallow.
- take Benadryl 25mg at night (capsule or tablet form) (diphenhydramine HCl is generic name) If experiencing drainage that is increasing cough at night, Benadryl will also allow you to sleep better (do not take if allergic to diphenydramine HCL).
- use Vick's Vapor Rub (generic is fine) for chest tightness. If necessary to consider using a vaporizer or humidifier, contact Health & Wellness at 830-792-7279 to review your symptoms.
Rationale: Difficulty breathing may warrant additional medical treatment. Do not e-mail.

6. Who is at risk of complications of flu?
The following groups of people are at greater risk of complications from H1N1 and seasonal flu:
- Children younger than 5 years old (under 2 years are especially vulnerable)
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children with certain chronic medical conditions including chronic lung problems such as asthma, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, muscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
- Adults and children who have immunodeficiency or immuno-suppression, including that caused by medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy, or diseases such as HIV/AIDS
- Children ages 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- Persons 50 years old or older, particularly 65 years or older
- People who live in settings such as nursing homes, residential schools, and jails.

7. What are considered severe symptoms for Adults?
- Difficulty breathing
- Purple or blue discoloration of the lips
- Vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
- Seizures or uncontrolled convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Alteration in thinking

Frequently Asked Questions - General Public
(provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services)
(Revised 8/9/2009)
This information will be updated as the situation evolves.
Any references in this document to H1N1 refer to the novel H1N1 virus.

Q. What is the difference between seasonal flu and this new strain of H1N1?
A: Seasonal flu viruses have been circulating in human populations for several seasons, allowing people to build up immunities to them. Most people do not yet have immunity to the new strain of H1N1 flu. A vaccine is available to prevent seasonal flu. A vaccine for novel H1N1 flu is being developed and is expected to be available this fall.

Q. What is a flu pandemic?
A: A flu pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges that can infect and be easily spread among individuals because they do not have immunity. In a pandemic, people in a very large geographic area are affected. The extent and severity of a pandemic depends on the specific virus. So far, the novel H1N1 virus has not been especially severe.

Q. What can the public do to get prepared in case there is a flu pandemic?

A: It’s important to be prepared for emergencies – including flu pandemics – that may disrupt commercial and community activities. Everyone should have an emergency plan and a disaster supplies kit with enough food and water to last for several days or up to two weeks. For information on emergency planning for families, visit www.TexasPrepares.org (English) or www.TexasPrepara.org (Spanish). Getting seasonal flu vaccine this fall is very important. Getting the novel H1N1 vaccine when it is available will also be important.

Q. What is novel H1N1 Flu (swine flu) and how is it transmitted?
A: The respiratory virus that is currently circulating in the United States is passed from person to person without contact with pigs. The name now being used is novel H1N1 flu. Novel H1N1 flu is a respiratory illness thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu is spread, which is through people infected with the virus who are coughing or sneezing. It can be spread by touching something with flu viruses on it, such as a tissue or a door knob, and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose.

Q. How can I avoid getting infected?
A: You can protect yourself from the H1N1 flu by washing your hands frequently with soap and warm water. You also can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Stay away from people who are sick (especially if they have fever, cough and a sore throat). Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

Q. What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
A: Almost all people in Texas with confirmed novel H1N1 flu have had a sudden onset of fever (half having a temperature greater than 102.5oF) and cough. Most have had a sore throat. Almost everyone with H1N1 flu has been taken care of at home and recovered in a few days. Illnesses with a lot of nasal congestion and mild fever are probably not H1N1 flu. Illnesses with diarrhea and vomiting are probably not H1N1 flu, although some with a confirmed case of H1N1 have had such symptoms.  Other symptoms may include runny nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. People may have only one or two symptoms besides the fever, or they may have many. People can infect others with the H1N1 flu even before they show symptoms, and they remain contagious for seven or more days after they become sick.

Q. What do I do if I have these symptoms?
A: Stay home if you get sick. Stay home from work, school, errands, and limit close contact with others to keep from infecting them. In most cases people with H1N1 flu will get better without medical attention. If you have been diagnosed with H1N1, stay home while you have symptoms. Wait to be around people until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medications. If you work in a hospital or other healthcare setting around people at high risk of complications from flu, stay home for 7 days after symptoms began or until your symptoms are gone, whichever is longer.

If you are at risk for complications of influenza, call your health care provider. Follow your provider’s advice. Most people with nasal congestion and mild fever don’t have H1N1 flu.

If you have mild symptoms, do not call your health care provider or visit the hospital emergency room. Get plenty of rest, drink fluids, take fever reducing medications if needed.

WARNING: DO NOT give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children and youth 18 years and younger.

Q. Who is at risk of complications of flu?
A: The following groups of people are at greater risk of complications from H1N1 and seasonal flu:
- Children younger than 5 years old (under 2 years are especially vulnerable)
- Pregnant women
- Adults and children with certain chronic medical conditions including chronic lung problems such as asthma, heart, liver, blood, nervous system, muscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
- Adults and children who have immunodeficiency or immuno-suppression, including that caused by medications such as corticosteroids and chemotherapy, or diseases such as HIV/AIDS
- Children ages 6 months to 18 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
- Persons 50 years old or older, particularly 65 years or older
- People who live in settings such as nursing homes, residential schools, and jails.

Q. What are considered severe symptoms?

A: For Adults:
- Difficulty breathing
- Purple or blue discoloration of the lips
- Vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
- Signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry
- Seizures or uncontrolled convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Alteration in thinking

For Children:
- Fast breathing or trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not waking up or not interacting
- Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
- Flu-like symptoms that improve then return with fever and worse cough
- Fever with a rash

IF SEVERE SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. IF THE HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IS NOT AVAILABLE, GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

Q. Should I be tested for H1N1 flu?
A: Your health care provider will make the decision as to whether you should be tested. Most people do not need to be tested. It will not make a difference in how a person’s illness is treated.

Q. Is there a vaccine for H1N1 flu?
A: There is a vaccine under development for H1N1 flu that is expected to be available later in the fall. The seasonal flu vaccine does not provide protection against H1N1 flu but is important in protecting you from other flu viruses that can make you as sick or sicker. This makes ordinary precautions such as covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands even more important. It’s also important to be up to date on your other vaccinations, such as TdaP (tetanus/pertussis/diphtheria and Pneumococcal vaccines, to avoid getting infected with more than one germ at once.

Q. If I experience flu symptoms, do I need medication?
A: Call your health care provider about the need for medication. People at risk of complications from flu may be prescribed antiviral medication. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses and should not be requested. Most people will need only fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.

WARNING: DO NOT give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children and youth 18 years and younger.

Q. Is there a place to go for free treatment?
A: If you have symptoms of influenza, seek medical care as you usually do. If you normally receive your care free, treatment will be free. If you have insurance, insurance will cover the cost of care as usual. Call 2-1-1 for information about possible resources in your community.

Q. How do you prevent the spread of H1N1 flu?
A: If you are sick, stay home unless you have a doctor’s appointment. Avoid being around other people because you can give the illness to others. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throw the tissue away. Or cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer. Be sure to do this after coughing or sneezing.

Q. What should I do if someone I live with is sick with flu-like symptoms?
A: When providing care to a household member who is sick with influenza, protect yourself and others by:
- Keeping the sick person away from other people as much as possible
- Reminding the sick person to cover their coughs, and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing.
- Reminding everyone in the household to clean their hands often, using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
- Asking your healthcare provider if household contacts of the sick person – particularly those contacts who may have chronic health conditions – should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu.
- Additional details on caring for a sick person such as laundry, cleaning and having visitors are available at the CDC H1N1 flu Web site:  www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

Q. What should I do if someone I live with has confirmed H1N1 flu?
A: Precautions are the same as above.

Q. Can you expect more cases to be reported?
A: Yes. The virus has been found across the United States and in many other countries. We expect that novel H1N1 will be one of the viruses that circulates widely this flu season (usually October to May) along with other seasonal flu viruses. Texas will likely have millions of cases of influenza, and many of those will be caused by novel H1N1 virus.

Q. Will schools be closed if a lot of children start getting sick?
A: The CDC has announced that they are no longer recommending that schools close. If the situation changes, local independent school districts will notify parents, students, and teachers through the local news media, just as they do for weather closures.

Q. If they close the schools, can my children play with other kids?
A: Students should not be around each other when schools are closed or they may catch the flu from their friends.

Q. I work with the elderly; should I continue to work with them?
A: Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory illness should stay home and avoid close contact with others. Consult your employer for employment specific policy.

Q. If we have traveled outside the United States recently, what should we do?
A: Take the same precautions to prevent illness as recommended for those who have not left the country. Get your seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible and, when available, a novel H1N1 flu vaccination. Be sure you are up to date on other vaccines too.

Practice good hand washing technique, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers frequently, and sneeze or cough into a tissue or your sleeve.

If you become ill and you are at risk for complications of influenza (see complications above), call your doctor or health care provider.

Q. How do we get more information/updates?
A: Continue to monitor the Department of State Health Services website www.texasflu.org  for information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website www.cdc.gov  and your local news.

Get flu guidance for institutions of higher education.

 
 

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