Communications

Date: May 4, 2009

To: Fourth- and Fifth-Year Students

From: Patricia M. Lampkin, Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer

Subject: Health Tips Related to H1N1 Flu and Travel

Dear Students:

You will soon be finishing exams and may be planning a trip to the beach with friends. Given recent news about H1N1 flu, please remember some basic steps that can help you stay healthy. These tips are good to follow at any time, but especially when staying in close quarters with others and engaging in activities that involve large numbers of people:

• Avoid sharing beverages, food, eating utensils, pillows, and other personal items that may transmit germs.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, as germs spread that way.
• Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with germs.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that you limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• The symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.
• Early treatment is the key to preventing more serious secondary bacterial infections, so do not delay in consulting with your physician.
• Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• Moderate your use of alcohol, since alcohol impairs judgment and may lead to lax behavior that is detrimental to your health.

As an additional reminder, students who have graduated are no longer eligible for health care at Student Health. Graduating students must conclude their care at Student Health within the week following Final Exercises.

The University continues to monitor information and advisories regarding H1N1 flu and will continue to communicate with members of the University community about any needed precautions.

For more information, please see http://www.virginia.edu/emergency/h1n1.html .

Best wishes as you finish exams and complete your undergraduate studies. May good health follow you long into the future and far beyond the University of Virginia.

Sincerely,

Patricia M. Lampkin

Vice President and Chief Student Affairs Officer