MySimmons - Simmons College Community Intranet

Norovirus Update

In the past few weeks there have been some cases of a gastrointestinal illness identified among students, faculty and staff that is assumed to be norovirus infection, an illness that causes intense intestinal distress (diarrhea and/or nausea and vomiting).  The way to prevent the spread of norovirus is the same as for any infectious illness:  wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before eating or drinking.  Both soap and water, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer are effective.  In response to the illness the College is also increasing the number of bathroom cleanings.  If you become ill while on campus, please contact the Public Safety office at ext. 112 to let them know you have been ill.  They can provide any assistance you may need and ensure that the required cleaning is scheduled.  If you are a student, please contact the Health Center at x 1020 to report your illness and get advice about how best to manage your symptoms.  For more information on the norovirus please click here to see a norovirus information sheet.

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

There has been almost no H1N1 or seasonal flu circulating at the present time in Massachusetts, although of course that situation can change.  The Health Center still has a supply of H1N1 vaccine available for any student, staff or faculty member who wishes to receive an H1N1 flu shot.  Call the Health Center for an appointment at 617-521-1020.  There is no charge for receiving the vaccine.  Some intranasal seasonal flu vaccine is also available.  Check the Immunization Information tab above to see if you meet the criteria for receiving the intranasal flu vaccine.

For the most up to date information on flu consult the sites below:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu, http://www.mass.gov/dph, and www.bphc.org/swineflu.

• Click here to read a FAQ on seasonal flu and H1N1
• Click here to read instructions if you are a student diagnosed with influenza like illness (ILI)

Immunization Information

H1N1 Vaccine:

H1N1 flu shots are still available for all staff, faculty and students at the Health Center.  Call for an appointment at 617-521-1020 to receive your free vaccine. 

 

 Seasonal Flu Vaccine:

The usual seasonal flu vaccine given by injection (inactivated vaccine) is not widely available and we do not have any at the Health Center.  Some primary care providers may however,  have a limited amount of this vaccine.   

The Health Center does have intranasal seasonal flu vaccine available.  This vaccine, administered as a nasal spray, contains live weakened flu virus.  It is approved for people under 50 who do not have any of the conditions listed below:

• Asthma, heart disease, lung disease, kidney or liver disease, diabetes or other metabolic disease, anemia  and other blood disorders
• Muscle or nerve disorders (such as seizure disorders or cerevral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
• Weakened immune system
• Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment
• Pregnancy
• A history of Guillain-Barre syndrome

If you are under 50 years of age and don't have any of the above conditions, make an appointment at the Health Center to receive the vaccine.   

 

November 24, 2009

Dear Simmons Students:

You probably have read the most recent communication from the College regarding immunizations for both H1N1 and seasonal flu, and an update on the number of H1N1 cases on campus. Following is a brief summary of the current situation:

H1N1 immunizations:

The first small number of doses of H1N1 which arrived was quickly used in treating some of the high risk students who responded to our first e-mail announcing vaccine. Unfortunately there was not enough vaccine to treat even those who first responded. We expect more vaccine but don't know when it will arrive, so in the meantime we are suggesting:

• Register on line to be placed on the waiting list for the next round of vaccine that becomes available. You can register by filling out the form at http://tiny.cc/H1N1. Register for vaccine even if you have been told you have ILI since you don't know definitively if you have had the flu. If you did have H1N1 getting the shot is still safe.
• Investigate the possibility of receiving H1N1 vaccine from your primary care provider, especially while you are at home for the holidays
• Be especially careful to practice good hand hygiene, and if you have a cough, cough into your sleeve, not into your hands
• If you feel sick, stay away from others and call the Health Center to report your symptoms. See below for more about this.

Seasonal Flu Vaccine:

Seasonal flu has not yet arrived in Massachusetts. There's a current shortage of seasonal flu vaccine, although more may be available later in the winter. In the meanwhile we again suggest that you check with your provider at home about availability. Good hygiene works to prevent this flu as well; we can't say often enough "wash your hands", especially before eating.

What to do if you think you have the flu:
If you or someone you know is not feeling well we strongly encourage you (or them) to call the Health Center at 617-521-1020 to report your symptoms. Symptoms of H1N1 include:

• fever greater than 100 degrees
• cough, sore throat and/or general body aches
• GI symptoms (nausea, diarrhea) sometimes also occur with flu, but if these are your only symptoms you are very unlikely to have H1N1

It's important to report your symptoms:

• If the Health Center staff doesn't know you're ill, they can't check on you each day to see how you are feeling, and can't alert you to symptoms that might indicate signs of more serious illness.
• Self-isolation prevents illness in others. The majority of people who become ill with H1N1 recover quickly, but a few go on to have life-threatening illness so it's important to try to prevent as much spread of the virus as possible.

We will continue to provide updates to you on a regular basis by e-mail. You can also check the Health Center web page for up-to-date information: http://my.simmons.edu/services/health/. There is a link on that page to instructions on how to manage your illness if you do become ill.

If you have any further questions, please contact the Health Center at (617) 521-1020.

Best Regards,

Sarah Neill, Dean for Student Life

To Parents and Families

November 20, 2009

 Dear Simmons Parents:

I'm writing to give you an update you on the status of immunizations for H1N1 flu and seasonal flu at Simmons , and on H1N1 flu on campus.

H1N1 Immunizations  

The Health Center received its first small batch of vaccine (100 doses) of H1N1 vaccine late last week.   Notice of the arrival of vaccine was sent by e-mail to the student community, and those in high priority groups (e.g., pregnant women, students with chronic illness such as asthma) were asked to contact the Health Center by phone.  Not surprisingly, the number of students who responded exceeded the vaccine available, and we have started a waiting list in anticipation of the arrival of more vaccine.  Students wishing to be on the list can sign up on line by going to the Health Center web site and clicking on the link to the sign- up sheet.  We hope to eventually have enough vaccine to immunize all students, not only those in high priority groups.  Given the current uncertainty regarding the arrival time  of additional vaccine however,  we are also urging students to check with their primary care providers about obtaining vaccine from that source. 

Seasonal Flu 

The case with seasonal flu is much the same.  Due to nationwide shortages we have been unable to secure additional vaccine.   Although it's possible that more vaccine will arrive in the coming months, we recommend again that students check with their primary care provider while at home to see if seasonal flu vaccine is available.

H1N1 on Campus

 We have had 146 reported cases of influenza like illness  (ILI) among students at Simmons since September 11^th.  As you may know, the test for H1N1 influenza is not available to most health care facilities, so following the recommendations of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) the diagnosis of ILI is made on the basis of symptoms.  Although all of the students diagnosed with ILI may not have H1N1, statewide data suggests that a significant number of them are likely to have this flu.  The students who have been ill include both commuter and residential students, and graduate and undergraduate students.  As the BPHC recommends, we strongly encourage  self-isolation of students with ILI either by going (or staying) home, or by asking roommates of students diagnosed with ILI to move.  Luckily most have been able to be at home, so we have had an average of only 3-4 students with ILI in the residence halls at any given time.   The highest number of cases on campus occurred two and three weeks ago, which we hope represents the peak of this wave of illness, although there is no way of knowing yet if this is the case.  

We continue to communicate with students regularly about the presence of flu , encouraging vigilant hand hygiene and other prevention measures.  You can read our most recent communication to students under the student tab on this Health Center home page.  At the bottom of the home page there are also links to a Q&A about flu, and instructions we are giving to students diagnosed with ILI, as well as sources for general information about H1N1. 

As always, we appreciate the important role you play in supporting your student. If you have any questions about our ongoing management of the illness, I encourage you to be in touch at (617) 521-2124.

Yours in Health,
Sarah Neill
Dean for Student Life