Skip to Content
H1N1 Influenza Update
September 25, 2009

Azusa Pacific’s Student Health Center wants to inform you in the course of the past three weeks, 25 students have been diagnosed with an Influenza Like Illness (ILI), with the average illness lasting 3–5 days. Most of these are possible H1N1 Influenza, but some could be a seasonal variation of other viruses.

The Student Health Center is working alongside APU’s Residence Life team, Facilities Management, and faculty and staff to care for those students who have been sick while also taking preventative measures to minimize exposure to our community.

University Response

  1. The Student Health Center is equipped to provide medical care for students experiencing ILI symptoms. Please call the 24-hour Flu Hotline at (626) 428-6274 if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
  2. The Student Health Center is working closely with Student Life and Residence Life to isolate sick students to minimize exposure, identify caregivers to provide meals, and connect with faculty to manage coursework.
  3. The university encourages any students who can return home or stay with a relative or friend during their illness to do so, in order to have the best space for rest and recovery, and to minimize risk of exposure.
  4. All new cases of sick students who are unable to return home may be relocated to a designated area on campus for rest and recovery. This allows the Student Health Center to provide medical care as well as meals in a clean environment, while also minimizing exposure to the community.
  5. Facilities Management will continue to clean and sanitize living areas and classrooms.
  6. The university encourages faculty, staff, and graduate and CAPS students to see their primary care physician, then inform their supervisor if they have been diagnose with an ILI or suspected H1N1 virus. Please do not come to campus if you have been diagnosed or exhibit ILI symptoms.

How Can You Help?

  1. Call the Student Health Center 24-hour Flu Hotline at (626) 428-6274 if you have the symptoms listed below:
    - A fever (at least 100° F or 37.8° C) and
    - Cough or sore throat.
    - Additional symptoms that would make an ILI more likely include headache, fatigue, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash.

  2. If you are diagnosed by your primary care physician as having an ILI or suspected H1N1 virus, please inform the Student Health Center so that we can contact your roommates for prevention care and sanitization of your living area, and so that we may inform faculty of your absence to help you manage your coursework.
  3. Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the viruses. For tips, visit www.apu.edu/response/announcements/14290/.
  4. Get a flu shot. More information on available vaccinations included below.
  5. Undergraduate Students: If you live, or have a relative or close friend who lives within 2 hours of the university, please have a parent, relative, or friend pick you up and take you home to help minimize exposure to other students, faculty, and staff.
  6. Graduate and CAPS Students: We encourage you to see your primary care physician if you exhibit symptoms. Please inform faculty if you are sick and do not come to class.
  7. Faculty and Staff: If you exhibit symptoms, inform your supervisor and please take sick time and stay home.
  8. We encourage everyone to ensure they have been free of fever for 24 hours before returning to class or work.

Prevention
The university encourages everyone to get flu shots. Flu shots will be available at the Student Health Center.

  1. Seasonal Influenza: This yearly vaccination is currently available and targets the new strain of the common flu and is one shot ($20).
  2. Novel H1N1 (Swine Flu): College students are considered to be a high-risk group for the H1N1 flu virus. This shot will be free and is expected to be available in Azusa on October 29, and at APU the first week of November.

By keeping the community well informed, we hope to minimize the impact of these viruses on campus and work together to maintain a healthy environment for those who are well, while providing the best possible care for those who are sick.
 

More Announcements ›