Southwestern College

Wash your hands.  Cover your cough.

You’re going to hear these words over and over this fall as we go into flu season. This year, of course, we’re approaching that season with more caution because of the H1N1 strain of flu.

Southwestern College is watching this situation carefully, and keeping in touch with the local health department. They tell us that symptoms are usually mild for this new flu, but that 20%-40% of us will experience this flu within the next two years, and that 80% of these cases will be in persons 35 years old or younger.

Later this fall flu shots will be available and we’ll have on-campus immunization opportunities. Until then, though, watch for symptoms of the H1N1 flu:

• fever over 100º
• body aches
• cough
• sore throat
• respiratory congestion
• diarrhea and vomiting (in some cases)

If you have these symptoms, tell your resident assistant or visit the campus nurse Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday between noon and 1 p.m. You shouldn’t go back to class until you’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours.

And meanwhile, wash your hands and cover your cough.

Please contact me with your concerns.

Best regards,

Dan Falk, dean of students