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From Gloria Algeo, R.N., Director
of Health and Wellness
RE: Fall 2008
Last year was a terrible flu season and this year is
threatening to be even worse. Schreiner would like to
provide the opportunity to not only our students and
employees but also their families and friends to assure the
highest flu carrier group, ages 5-14 years old, also have a
chance to receive the flu vaccine. We will offer the flu
shot ($25) and the intranasal flu mist ($35).
We have three Flu shot clinics scheduled over the fall
semester which will be open to students, staff, faculty,
family and friends. If you are planning to attend one of the
flu clinics and are planning to bring family members or
friends with you, please e-mail me to ensure we have enough
flu vaccine at the clinics.
The first two flu clinics are scheduled from 10:30 am to
1:30pm on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 and
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 in the Cailloux Activity
Center lobby. Flu shots will be $25.00 and Flu Mist will be
$35. Benefit eligible employees will be able to sign for
their flu shots without paying and Human Resources will
submit their billing information to Schreiner University's
health insurance carrier as they did last year.
Annual vaccination against influenza is recommended for: All
persons, including school-aged children, who want to reduce
the risk of becoming ill with influenza or of transmitting
influenza to others; all children aged 6–59 months (i.e., 6
months–4 years); all persons aged >50 years; children and
adolescents (aged 6 months–18 years) receiving long-term
aspirin therapy who therefore might be at risk for
experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including
asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal,
hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders (including
diabetes mellitus; adults and children who have
immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by
medications or by human immunodeficiency virus; adults and
children who have any condition (e.g., cognitive
dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or
other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise
respiratory function or the handling of respiratory
secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration;
residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care
facilities; health-care personnel; healthy household
contacts (including children) and caregivers of children
aged <5 years and adults aged >50 years, with particular
emphasis on vaccinating contacts of children aged <6 months;
and healthy household contacts (including children) and
caregivers of persons with medical conditions that put them
at higher risk for severe complications from influenza.
Alert: We continue to see numerous cases of cold viruses and
other types of upper respiratory tract infection on campus
as well as gastrointestinal flu-like viruses (stomach flu –
nausea, vomiting and or diarrhea).
If you or someone you know has been sick with these types of
symptoms, please contact Health and Wellness at 830-792-7279
or e-mail
health@schreiner.edu as we try to track any trends in
illness on the campus. Additionally, we can help you with
some triage or medical advice!
The following guidelines should be used on a daily basis to
prevent all types of infections including pink eye, stomach
flu, cold viruses, seasonal influenza, etc. Please note that
#4 and 8 are the most important thing you can do on a daily
basis to protect yourself from these types of illnesses!
1. Practice good health habits, including eating a balanced
diet, exercising daily, and getting sufficient rest
2. Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing.
3. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
4. Clean your hands (soap/water or alcohol sanitizer) at
EVERY opportunity.
5. Remind your doctor, nurse, and other healthcare workers
to wash their hands before they touch you.
6. Don’t visit hospitalized friends or family if you are
sick.
7. Avoid others who are sick or coughing. Practice 3 feet
social distancing when ill or others are ill.
8. Do not share drinks or other food items.
9. When ill, stay home from work, school or places where
there are many people such as class, grocery stores and
movie theatres.
10. Notify your professors as soon as is possible regarding
class absences.
Utilizing these guidelines should help you to have a healthy
fall break and get you back to Schreiner ready for the new
challenges that await you!
Gloria Algeo, R.N., Director of Health and Wellness
Phone: (830) 792-7279 |
