Facts About the H1N1 Virus
While there is no epidemic on campus currently – classes are being held and offices are open as usual - we are preparing to have this new flu virus in our community again this flu season.
Onondaga Community College and the Onondaga County Health Department have worked together to provide information that can help everyone on campus be prepared if Novel H1N1 virus does reappear in our community.
- September 28 letter (.pdf)
- November 10 letter (.pdf)
What is H1N1?
H1N1 (swine) flu is a new and very different influenza virus causing illness in people.
Some symptoms include?
- Fever over 100°
- Cough and/or sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Body aches, headache, chills, fatigue
How is it spread?
- By droplet with cough or sneeze
- By touching surfaces contaminated by droplets and then touching your eyes, nose, mouth
- Illness lasts 4 to‐5 days with 2 to‐3 days of fever
How can you help prevent the spread of H1N1?
- Wash your hands frequently – or use alcohol-based hand cleaners
- Take advantage of the many alcohol-based cleaners on campus
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
- Properly dispose of tissues in trash cans
- No tissues handy? Cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder – not into your hands
- Discard tissues properly after use
If you have flu-like symptoms
At the request of the Onondaga County Health Department, Onondaga Community College is participating in flu surveillance. For this reason, Health Services is requesting that individuals (students and employees) with influenza-like illness inform the Health Services office at 498-2599. If you encounter an individual who appears ill, please refer the person to Health Services in Coulter, first floor, for assessment.
- Return to campus only after free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, and are free of other influenza-like symptoms. (Center for Disease Control guidelines)
Communicate with your professors
- Communicate with your professors if you miss a class due to influenza-like symptoms, and seek guidance on making up the work. Students will not be penalized for missing class due to influenza-like illness as long as they make up the work.
- Establish a “buddy system” whereby assignments and notes can be accessed if you are ill.
Residential students
Residential students who appear to have influenza-like symptoms will be requested to leave the residence halls until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication. For those unable to leave campus due to circumstances beyond their control, they will be asked to remain isolated in their residence hall rooms.
How long is someone contagious?
One day prior until seven days after symptoms occur
What is Onondaga Community College doing?
- More than 90 alcohol-based hand cleaners placed in high traffic areas like computer labs and the Library
- Communication updates posted on the web and on campus monitors
- Increased daily cleaning and disinfecting of door knobs, desk tops, bathroom facilities (including porcelain fixtures, sinks and stall doors)
- Daily sanitization of all exterior door handles and door crash bars
Campus Closings?
At this time, we do NOT expect to need to close the College; however, if the virus changes, parents, employees, and students need to be patient as we work with the Health Department to make sure that we are doing everything we can to protect the health of our campus community.
More information
Updated information, including changes in procedures, will be communicated via e-mail and posted to the College Web sites. Onondaga Community College is dedicated to keeping all of us healthy and we will continue to work closely with the Onondaga County Health Department to provide everyone with timely and accurate information.
Please continue to check the College Web site, the County Health Department Web site at www.ongov.net or the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov for more information about the H1N1 virus.