An Update from the College Physician

Dear Students:

Welcome back to Colby. I hope you had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to a healthy and productive year.

I want to update you on the status of the H1N1 influenza and provide some advice on avoiding infection as well as information on what you should do if you experience flu-like symptoms.

First, and most important, is to practice good personal hygiene: cover your nose and mouth when you cough, wash your hands frequently—especially after coughing or sneezing—and avoid close contact with those who are sick. If you have not already received one, get a seasonal flu shot. The College will hold a seasonal flu vaccine clinic the week of Sept. 21, with the first two days devoted solely to on vaccinating students. The H1N1 vaccine is currently in clinical trials and should be available in late October or early November. The College plans to hold H1N1 flu clinics when the vaccine becomes available.

If you do experience flu-like symptoms (a fever 100 degrees or greater, accompanied by a cough or sore throat), there are several actions you should take to care for yourself and prevent spreading the flu:

1. Practice social distancing. Since the flu is spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing, it is important for you to limit social contact and stay in your room until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
2. Do not attend class until you have been fever-free for 24 hours. Please contact your professors to let them know you are ill and will not be in class. You will not need an excuse from class if you miss three or fewer days due to illness.
3. If you experience flu-like symptoms for more than three days, contact the health center in person or by phone (x4460 or 859-4460).
4. If you have an underlying medical condition, asthma, for example, and experience flu-like symptoms, contact the health center.
5. Do not eat in the dining halls until you have been fever-free for 24 hours. Dining Services has an online system to order a boxed lunch, which may be picked-up at Dana, Foss, or Roberts during regular serving hours. Students who need to take meals in their room due to illness should contact Dining Services’ Joe Klaus (jklaus@colby.edu) or Debbie Knese (dcknese@colby.edu), who will arrange to put together a meal that a friend or roommate can pick up at one of the dining halls and bring to you.
6. “Flu kits” containing packages of Gatorade, instant soup, and Ibuprofen are available in the self-help area in the foyer of the Garrison-Foster Health Center, which is accessible to students 24/7.

I will provide an update on the flu situation and be available to answer any questions you might have at a campus-wide meeting Monday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. in Page Commons. As always, you should feel free to contact the health center staff with any questions, comments or concerns.

Paul D. Berkner, D.O., F.A.A.P.
Colby College
Medical Director
Director of Sports Medicine
4460 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901