Please check this web site frequently for updates aimed at providing the Fitchburg State College community with the latest information on H1N1.
The college has received a shipment of H1N1 vaccine and it is now available to any member of the FSC college community. A free immunization clinic will be planned for the first week of the spring semester, 2010. An e-mail will be sent to the entire college community detailing the specifics.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health continues to encourage everyone to get vaccinated for the H1N1 influenza—the swine flu—as the concern is it will spike again in the winter months.
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu: fever, cough, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, headache, lack of appetite, and, in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting.
What can you do to stay healthy
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you have sneezed or coughed (alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective at infection control).
Sneeze or cough into your sleeve, not into your hand.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Don’t share food or drinks.
Clean shared phone receivers.
Get adequate sleep, eat a healthy diet and continue to exercise to boost natural immunity.
(Experts do not recommend anything other than a normal cleaning schedule for classrooms and other buildings on campus.)
In order to contain any outbreak, please don’t come to work or attend classes if you have symptoms of the flu. Self-isolation has a major impact on limiting the spread of the illness.
Students who contract the flu should call Health Services at 978-665-3216 to receive specific instructions based on their symptoms, or notify their RA, who will provide assistance.
There are a great variety of web sites devoted to H1N1. Below are a few of the more authoritative sites:
