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From Gloria Algeo, R.N., Director
of Health and Wellness
RE: Fall 2007
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 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 ($30).
We have two Flu shot clinics scheduled during October and
November that will be open to students, staff, faculty and
their friends and family. 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 flu clinic is scheduled from 10 am to
2pm on Thursday, October 18, 2007 in the CCAC Dance Room.
Flu shots will be $25.00 cash or check. Benefit eligible
employees will be able to sign for their flu shots without
paying and Human Resources will submit their billing
information to Benefit Planners (FiServe) as they did last
year.
Those 14 years and older will be able to get a flu shot
without a doctor’s prescription but if younger than 18 will
need to be accompanied by a parent.
Family members aged 3 to 14 will need a doctor’s
prescription.
Children younger than 3 will not be eligible for flu shots
at this clinic but will be at the clinic on November 7th.
The second flu clinic is scheduled from 11am to
1pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 in the CCAC Dance Room.
Because this clinic is being conducted by Boerne Acute Care,
all children will be eligible for flu shots. Flu mist will
also be available for those who meet the flu mist criteria.
Flu shots will be $25.00 and nasal flu mist will be $30.00,
cash, check or credit card.
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.
There will be no nurse on campus during Fall Break - Monday,
(10/8/07) and Tuesday 10/9/07. Health and Wellness will be
open only for insurance issues from 9am until 1pm.
In the event of minor illness or injury, The Peterson Minor
Care Center is open from 10am until 8pm Monday through
Saturday and 12N until 8pm on Sundays. The center is located
at 1740 Junction Highway, Kerrville (just west of Wal-Mart
on the north side of the street). 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. Patients
with more serious medical problems such as acute abdominal
pain, breathing difficulties, chest pain or broken bones
should go directly to the hospital emergency room for a more
extensive medical evaluation.
Alert: We continue to see numerous cases of cold
viruses and other types of upper respiratory tract infection
on campus and are beginning to hear about some
gastrointestinal flu-like viruses (stomach flu – 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 are trying 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 |