Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Updates on Influenza A (H1N1)

23 June 2009

Memo to: The Loyola Schools Community

From: Raymundo S. Baquiran, M.D.
Director, Office of Health Services

SUBJECT: Updates on Influenza A (H1N1)
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In order to keep up with the changing nature of the spread of the Influenza
A (H1N1) infection, the LS Office of Health Services would like to inform
the community of the following revised guidelines on H1N1. These guidelines
have been finalized following consultations with the LS Administrators, the
University Administration and the Department of Health.

1. Any member of the LS community who develops flu or flu-like symptoms (high
fever with sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose, headache, extreme
tiredness, muscle aches, nausea and vomiting) should stay at home until
he/she is well. By staying at home, you limit contact with others and
prevent the spread of the infection to them.

2. If in addition to having these symptoms, you had a recent travel history
or you had contact with a person confirmed to have H1N1, you should
immediately call your doctor for advice.

3. Any member of the LS community who has been exposed to a confirmed case of
H1N1 should do the following:
a. Observe yourself for the development of flu-like symptoms in the next
seven (7) days while continuing to observe the everyday preventive
measures of frequent hand washing; covering your mouth when you cough
or sneeze; and social distancing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth because viruses are spread this way.
b. If you develop flu-like symptoms, stay at home and immediately call
your doctor for advice.
c. Those who do not have symptoms can continue attending class or
reporting for work, but should strictly observe the preventive
measures enumerated above.
Because the virus appears to be already spreading in the community,
infecting individuals with no travel history nor contact with a
confirmed case, quarantine measures are no longer effective at this time.

4. Members of the LS community who have to stay at home because of the flu and
those who tested positive for H1N1 should inform the Office of Health
Services (426-6001 Local 5110). Upon return to the Loyola Schools, please
present a medical certificate to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
(students) or to the Office of the Vice President for the Loyola Schools
for LS personnel).

The University is very closely following up the confirmed cases of H1N1 among
members of our community. Contacts of these individuals are informed and
advised to watch out for symptoms and to continue preventive measures. A
community-wide health education campaign on H1N1 is also on-going.

Influenza A (H1N1) has thus far been a mild to moderate illness in the
country. Most of those affected have already fully recovered and only
one death had been reported in a person with an existing cardiac
problem. However, we should all exercise vigilance in containing the spread
of the virus to others so that it does not transform into a more severe
disease. The responsibility of preventing virus transmission and of nourishing
ourselves back to good health is all ours.

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