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Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community
H1N1 Influenza Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: September 4, 2009
University Response and Resources
- What steps is the University taking to respond to H1N1 flu?
- What is the University doing to prevent sickness on campus?
- What is the current effect on University operations?
- What is the current effect on University offices?
- Will this have an effect on University events?
- How will people receive information about H1N1 influenza and how it's affecting the University?
- Other FAQs (Health, Student, Faculty, Employee, Travel)
What steps is the University taking to respond to H1N1 flu?
University administrators charged with emergency preparedness and responding to health issues are monitoring the situation and developing precautionary measures to address this health issue. We have established a University-wide team to manage communications and ensure that the University is fully prepared to act rapidly as conditions evolve. The University's medical and environmental health staff have been in communication with public health officials, and continue to respond to direction provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is the University doing to prevent sickness on campus?
The University has taken a range of steps to encourage all members of the community to be vigilant in practicing good hygiene, including expanding University Health Services' "Cover your Cough" campaign. UHS is disseminating information about reducing the spread of germs in residential facilities and other communal spaces on campus.
Students experiencing flu-like symptoms or who were exposed to someone who has told them they have the flu have been asked to maintain their distance from other individuals and call University Health Services at (609) 258-3141. Students diagnosed with flu or flu-like illness are instructed to self-isolate in their dorm room (i.e. stay away from others and eat meals in their room) until they are no longer contagious. Students who live within driving distance of the University may be asked to return home to self-isolate. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
We are asking faculty and staff experiencing flu-like symptoms or who were exposed to someone who has told them they have the flu to contact their personal physicians. Employees who do not have a personal physician and who would like a list of physicians in the Princeton area should call Employee Health Services at (609) 258-5035 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
As this public health situation evolves, all campus community members should be aware that flu guidelines may change, depending upon the nature of the H1N1 virus and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to manage and prevent the spread of flu.
What is the current effect on University operations?
There is no immediate impact on the University community, our operations or activities.
What is the current effect on University offices?
Employees are expected to report to work as usual. Employees should continue to practice good hygiene at all times and employees experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their personal physicians. Employees who do not have a personal physician and would like a list of physicians in the Princeton area should call Employee Health Services at (609) 258-5035 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose or vomiting, should stay home from work during illness and for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). [See also the question on the Employee Questions page: I am a supervisor/manager and someone on my staff is exhibiting flu-like symptoms. What should I do?]
Will this have an effect on University events?
At this time there is no immediate impact on the University, our operations or activities. The University has no plans to limit visitors to campus or to disrupt planned activities, but we continue to recommend that individuals planning trips heed information provided by health authorities as they consider traveling, and to consult a physician before traveling if they have flu-like symptoms.
How will people receive information about H1N1 influenza and how it's affecting the University?
We understand the concerns about this public health issue, and we are committed to keeping members of our community informed.
The University has and will continue to update students, faculty and staff about this public health issue through e-mails to the campus community and updates on the University's H1N1 flu website.
Depending upon the situation, the University also may post announcements on the University homepage at www.princeton.edu and/or send alerts via phone, e-mail and text message through the University's emergency alert system.
OTHER FAQs
Last update:
07-Oct-2009 1:41 PM
Web page comments or errors: Robin
Izzo.