A newly-formed College committee met with the McHenry County Department of Health to discuss the latest updates on H1N1 influenza. This committee has come together to identify ways to keep the College community informed, as well as provide guidance on minimizing the spread of the virus at MCC.

The H1N1 influenza is already in our community, but this is not a cause for alarm. Instead, this message should be a reminder that each of us has a role to play in keeping ourselves healthy and preventing a wider outbreak.

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread this way.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work. 
• Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

Please visit the following websites for additional information:

• www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/health/Pages/H1N1.aspx – McHenry County Department of Health
• http://www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu – The Illinois Department of Public Health
• www.flu.gov – The official U.S. government website on pandemic flu and avian influenza.

You may also contact the McHenry County Department of Health Flu Hotline at (815) 334-2800.

MCC continues to work closely with the McHenry County Department of Health. As additional information becomes available, updates will be sent to you. In addition, general information regarding MCC’s Pandemic Preparedness Planning is available at www.mchenry.edu/flu.

Thank you for your assistance in this College-wide effort.

rev'd 9/16/09