Past Communication - 05/01/09 - 11:52 a.m.

The Chicago Department of Public Health has revised some of its guidelines for the Chicagoland area regarding the swine flu. Please keep in mind this is a rapidly evolving situation and is likely to change in the upcoming days, weeks, and months, as more information becomes available.

Loyola's Wellness Center is working closely with the Department of Public Health to determine next steps due to the revised guidelines. Please keep in mind that there continues to be only one probable case of swine flu in a Loyola student reported by the Department of Public Health, but it is reasonable to believe that there may be more, due to the fact that a probable case was identified on-campus. The Wellness Center, like most Chicago facilities, has seen an increase in suspected cases, with the majority of them being mild. We also continue to see the normal seasonal cases of regular flu, mono, and allergies.

Revised Department of Public Health guidelines include:

Mild Influenza-like Illness Recommendations:
At this time, the Chicago Department of Public Health strongly recommends that persons who develop Influenza-like Illness (fever with either cough or sore throat) stay home and remain there for seven days after the onset of illness, or at least 24 hours after symptoms have resolved, whichever is longer.

Mild Influenza-like Illness is defined as a fever (temperature of 100°F or greater) AND a cough, AND/OR a sore throat, in the absence of a KNOWN cause other than influenza (e.g., strep throat and mono).

At this time, the Chicago Department of Public Health:

• Does not recommend influenza testing for persons with mild Influenza-like Illness.
• Says antiviral treatment (Tamiflu and Relenza) is strongly recommended only for people ill with influenza who also have underlying conditions that increase the risk for more severe illness due to influenza (e.g., chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological or metabolic disorders, immunosuppression, compromised respiratory function, and conditions which increase the risk for aspiration, long-term aspirin therapy, pregnancy, age > 65 years, and age < 5 years).
• Says treatment should only be started if within 48 hours of symptom onset.
• Recommends influenza testing only for persons with severe Influenza-like Illness that meet the following clinical criteria: Severe Influenza-like Illness is defined as having a fever of 100.3ºF or greater AND difficulty breathing OR pneumonia AND having been a patient in the intensive care unit within the last seven days AND no known cause other than influenza.

It is important to take precautions in order to stay healthy, and to do your part to keep the community safe. Public health authorities recommend the following:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, as germs spread more easily that way.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you get sick, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Students experiencing flu-like symptoms should call the Wellness Center at 773.508.8883, and faculty and staff members should contact your health-care provider.

For more information about the swine flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/college-alert.htm.