September 23, 2009
Dear Parent,

Like many colleges and universities across the country, Northwestern College has been developing plans to respond to the likely appearance of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus on our campus this fall and winter. Since the emergence of the virus last spring, a team of staff and faculty has been monitoring the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and developing our response protocol and communication plan. This letter is intended to share information that we believe parents may want to know about Northwestern’s planning and intended response protocol.

Advanced institutional planning can help lessen the impact that a severe pandemic may have on our college community; personal planning will lower the potential impact on your family. Even under the best of circumstances, however, the college may not be able to meet all the medical and housing requirements for our students who become ill. For this reason, Northwestern College encourages you and your family to think about the challenges that you might face, particularly if the pandemic is severe.

At this time, no one can predict how severe the H1N1 flu pandemic may become; it is widespread throughout the world, and anticipated to become more prevalent in the Northern Hemisphere as we progress into fall. Most cases are mild and affect persons no more seriously than most seasonal flu outbreaks; however, college-aged young adults are among the groups more readily affected. The Northwestern Health Services website contains more information and guidelines for recognizing and responding to influenza-like symptoms.

Please be assured that the health and well-being of your student is our primary concern, and communication with our students, and with you as their parents, is one of our highest priorities. It is important that you stay in routine contact with your student and ask them about their health.

Thank you in advance for your efforts to keep all members of Northwestern College community in good health. Although we cannot eliminate the spread of the H1N1 virus, working together we can significantly minimize its reach and overall impact. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matt Hill
Vice President for Student Life and Athletics

Monica Groves
Dean of Student Services

Cynthia Reedstrom, R.N., BSN
Director of Northwestern College Health Services

Q: What is H1N1 novel influenza (formerly known as swine flu)?
• H1N1 novel influenza is a respiratory illness caused by a virus. H1N1 is a certain kind of influenza that can cause infection in humans.

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 novel influenza?
• The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu: fever (above 100), cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting

Q: What should my student do if s/he displays symptoms of an influenza-like illness?
• Following the CDC’s most recent recommendations for colleges and universities, students who display ILI (influenza-like illness) symptoms should “self-isolate.” For most students, particularly those living in the metropolitan area or within driving distance of home, this will mean going home and not returning to campus or attending classes until 24 hours after their fever has abated without the use of fever-reducing medications. It is the goal of Northwestern College to keep the residential buildings open for healthy students.
• Resident students experiencing ILI symptoms who cannot return to their home will be required to self-isolate within their residence hall room or apartment, and to not attend classes until 24 hours after their fever has abated without the use of fever-reducing medications.
• Students are being instructed to complete the Influenza/Flu Self-Report Form online so the college may monitor the volume of students who are ill as well as provide support services to students who are self-isolating in their rooms. This form is located on theROCK as well as on the Health Services page of the Northwestern College website (see below for Health Services website address). The intent of this online reporting tool is to provide students with a single reporting system that directs messages appropriately to student housing, food services, health services, and other appropriate departments enabling the student to focus on getting better.

Q: What if my student has a chronic medical condition or a compromised immune system?
• Students with chronic medical conditions or a compromised immune system who become ill or whose roommate(s) become ill should use the online Influenza/Flu Self-Report Form form or contact health services directly by calling 651-631-5246. If symptoms occur outside of Northwestern College’s Health Services scheduled hours, use the online Influenza/Flue Self Report form and contact a health profession outside of Northwestern College.

Q: What can my student do to get better?
• Students should follow the home-care remedies recommended by the CDC, including using fever-reducing over the counter medication (if they have no allergies to the meds), increasing their fluids, and rest.
• Flu kits are available for ill students at the Robertson and Arden Hall Student Center desks. Kits contain: face masks, disposable thermometers and hand sanitizer. These are to be used to assist students in monitoring illness and to use if a roommate is ill with the flu.

Q: Are there any warning signs that my student should be aware of:
• Students who become ill and experience any of the following warning signs should seek immediate emergency medical care: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting and flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
• Local urgent care facilities and emergency rooms are posted on the Northwestern College Health Services website (see below for Health Services website address).


For more information and planning resources, visit:
www.flu.gov
www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance
www.health.state.mn.us
NWC Health Services website