Message to IUSM Students

There is a significant likelihood that the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) will re-emerge this fall and produce widespread infections. To limit the spread, students are encouraged to stay home if they exhibit the following symptoms:

·         Fever (greater than 100 degrees F) and chills

·         Sore throat, headache, cough

·         Body aches, fatigue

·         Possible diarrhea and vomiting 

If students come to class exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the faculty is encouraged to send them home.

The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are fever-free (less than 100 degrees F without the use of fever-reducing medications).

Students with the indicated symptoms should alert their instructors as soon as possible.  The instructors will accommodate ill students in whatever ways are most appropriate for a given course or clerkship.  Every effort will be made to enable the student to make up for the lost time at the instructor’s discretion (e.g., waivers, extensions, rescheduling of assignments and exams, availability of course material via the Web, etc.).

At this time, county and state health officials do not recommend closing any schools due to H1N1 flu. IUPUI and the other campuses will make decisions about closing based on consultation with county and state health officials after a thorough assessment of the health threat to the campus community.  The current severity of the H1N1 flu is similar to the severity of the seasonal flu.  If H1N1 flu becomes more severe, the University will follow the recommendations of local, state, and federal health officials concerning social distancing measures.

In the unlikely event of a campus closure, students will be informed via local media and e-mails from IUSM administrators and/or course instructors.

• 1^st and 2^nd year students—stay home if your local campus cancels classes

• 3^rd and 4^th year students—contact your clinical sites to determine where you need to report.  Remember, the hospitals will remain open regardless of campus conditions.

Further information about H1N1 preparedness can be found at:

http://www.iupui.edu/~prepared/h1n1/

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/