H1N1 Influenza Preparation

Student Guidelines

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. In seasonal flu, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.

If you become ill, go home-but tell us before leaving.
The University is asking any student who has flu-like symptoms to please go/stay home. The virus will likely take 5-7 days to run its course so it's best to be in an environment where you can receive support from your family and advice from your family physician. Please use the Student Flu Reporting System to notify the University of your illness (see below). If you are a residential student, please also notify your RA.

Student reporting system: All students who become ill with flu symptoms (Fever > 100 degrees plus cough or sore throat) may voluntarily report their illness through banner self-service. This reporting system can be used only once per school year and it will allow a person to be ill up to 5 school days without a Doctor’s note. The purpose of this reporting system is to encourage ill students to go home and self-isolate without placing an additional burden of requiring a “doctor” note. By staying away from classes when ill, there will be less spread of illness to others. Once the information is reported, all course professors will be notified by email. Daily reports will be sent to the Health Center for Surveillance purposes as well. Visit: www.rowan.edu/selfservice

Residential student unable to go home
If you are a residential student and unable to go home, you must notify your RA immediately. You should then call the Student Health Center to arrange for a health care provider to evaluate your illness. This may include moving you to an isolated room and monitoring your health.

Missing class? Call the Dean.
Students with the flu should not attend class. You must, however, notify the Dean of Students Office (856-256-4266) that you plan on missing class for multiple days for the Dean to distribute an official "Dean's memo" which explains your absence to your professors. Please note that this procedure only relates to cases of the flu. You should get appropriate documentation for all other absences. Please note: What is required may differ from professor to professor.

Emergency warning signs
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

Rowan University - 201 Mullica Hill Road - Glassboro, New Jersey 08028 • 856-256-4000
Contact webmaster@rowan.edu with questions, problems or comments. ©2009 Rowan University