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Student FAQs – H1N1 Virus
What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 virus. However, a vaccine is in production and may be ready for the public this fall.
You should take these everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs and protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people remain a distance of at least six feet from a person who is sick.
How do I know if I have the H1N1 virus?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
What should I do if I am sick?
If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, you should call, but not visit, Goucher’s Health Center to discuss your symptoms. The number is 410-337-6050. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid, inhaler) and must be prescribed by a health care professional, including those at Goucher’s Health Center. You can fill prescriptions at numerous nearby locations; some pharmacies also will deliver to campus. Local pharmacies include:CVS PharmacyIf you are ill, the CDC recommends that you self-isolate in your room until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit; 37.8 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever – without the use of fever-reducing medications. This will require an isolation period of about three to five days in most cases.
1001 York Road
Towson, MD 21204
410-823-3900
NeighborCare Pharmacy (delivery available)
515 Fairmont Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
410-583-9895
Target Pharmacy
1238 Putty Hill Avenue
Towson, MD 21286
410-823-4423
Wal-Mart Pharmacy
1238 Putty Hill Avenue
Towson, MD 21286
410-494-4610
Will I be able to stay on campus if I develop flu-like symptoms?
Students who live close to campus (within 30 miles) will be sent home to stay until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever or signs of a fever. Other students will need to self-isolate, staying in their residence hall room and eliminating or severely limiting their exposure to other community members. You will be allowed to return to campus and class after you are free of fever or signs of a fever for 24 hours – without the use of fever-reducing medications.
How will I receive my meals?
All students who report flu symptoms to the Health Center will receive a flu kit that will include Tylenol/ibuprofen, lozenges, cough drops, a face mask, flu information, tissues, a tea bag, two packs of crackers, a bouillon packet, and a can of ginger ale. In addition, you can ask a roommate, friend, or community assistant (CA) to pick up a boxed meal at Stimson dining hall, provided by Bon Appétit, Goucher’s food services provider.
When can I return to class?
If you have demonstrated a flu-like illness, you can return to class after you are free of fever or signs of a fever for 24 hours – without the use of fever-reducing medications.
How will my class attendance, work, or participation in campus activities be affected if I develop flu-like symptoms?
If you demonstrate flu-like symptoms you should remain in your residence hall room (unless you choose to go home) and should not attend class, work, or other campus functions. You should report your illness to the Student Health Center at 410-337-6050 and contact your primary health care provider. It is also your responsibility to let your professors know you are ill and that you will be absent from class; professors may be able to provide you with coursework that can be completed remotely.
What if I have been exposed to someone who has H1N1 flu?
If you have close contact with someone who has H1N1 flu or is being treated for exposure to H1N1 flu, you should call the Student Health Center at 410-337-6050 to discuss whether treatment is needed to reduce your chances of getting the flu. If your roommate has the H1N1 flu, your community assistant will provide you with a face mask for extra protection. You should limit your exposure to a sick roommate; the CDC recommends staying at least six feet away from someone who is sick. If you are not demonstrating flu-like symptoms, you should continue with your regular schedule of classes but should limit social exposure because you may be contagious without experiencing symptoms of the flu.
If there is a reported case of H1N1 on campus, will I be able to do my coursework remotely?
If the campus is open, it is because the administration, in close consultation with public health authorities, has determined there is little or no risk to community members from keeping the campus open. Therefore, you will be expected to complete coursework as usual. You will be able to access Blackboard, as usual, to complete your coursework.
Under what circumstances would the college close because of the H1N1 flu?
It is the general policy of the college to remain open unless it is determined that the health or safety of community members is compromised by keeping the campus open. In addition, the campus may be closed due to an order of the local or state health authorities.
How will students be affected if the college closes?
If it is determined that Goucher must close, you will be required to leave campus 24 hours after notification is sent. Exceptions will be made for international students and those who live too far away to return home. Goucher will do all that it can to help these students with accommodation during the closure, but it is very important for students and their parents to develop an emergency preparedness plan. You may return to your hometown or to a predetermined nearby location, such as a friend’s or family member’s house. If you have the H1N1flu and cannot return home, you will be quarantined in Goucher housing until you are free of fever for 24 hours without taking any medicine.Once the college is deemed ready to reopen – following close consultation with local and state health officials – you will be notified via e-mail, Goucher’s homepage and H1N1 website (www.goucher.edu/H1N1), and the e2Campus Notification System.
Will masks be made available to students?
Goucher has purchased a number of surgical masks that are being made available to students who present flu symptoms and as part of the flu kits that will be issued to students with the flu. Roommates of sick students will be given face masks for extra protection.
According to the CDC, information on the effectiveness of face masks and respirators for the control of influenza in community settings is extremely limited, and it is difficult to assess their potential effectiveness in controlling H1N1virus. (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm) The CDC does, however, recommend the use of masks by ill persons who must go into the community. You should also consult your health care provider to determine if wearing a face mask is necessary.
How will Goucher communicate with me?
Updates about the H1N1 virus will be sent out through student, parent, faculty, and staff e-mail; through Goucher’s homepage and the college’s H1N1 website (www.goucher.edu/H1N1); and through campus-wide voicemail and the e2Campus Notification System, in the case of an emergency.
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