Letter from the Director of Thagard Student Health Center

September 7, 2009

Dear Florida State University Students,

Thagard Student Health Center, like many others in the U.S., is seeing many students ill with influenza. While most of the influenza cases have been of the H1N1 variety, we know now from culture data that there is also seasonal ("regular") flu in our community. The good news is that most students, faculty and staff are recovering quickly from both strains of flu and getting back to classes or work within a few days. Thagard Student Health Center staff continues to stress that students with the flu should NOT return to class until fever-free for 24 hours, without fever-reducing medication.

If you are ill you should:

1. Call Thagard Health Center between the hours of 8am-4pm Monday - Saturday. RN's in the Triage Clinic will be available to speak with you. Please call 850.644.4567.

If your symptoms warrant we will make an appointment for you to see a clinician.

2. Realize many patients do not need to see a doctor but can manage at home with self isolation, rest, fluids, and recommended over-the-counter medications to handle discomfort.

3. Tamiflu is only effective if initiated within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Everyone does not get antibiotics or antiviral's; we follow the CDC guidelines for tamiflu.
Walk in Clinics and Emergency Rooms in Tallahassee, like many in the U.S. right now, are overwhelmed with flu patients and other illnesses and injuries, resulting in a wait of many hours for non-emergency patients. Thagard Student Health Center staff is available for consultation and advice regarding whether a student's illness can wait until the next business day, or whether an Emergency Room visit is warranted.
We can also assist you with notification for your faculty regarding your absence from your academic work. Refer to the H1N1 website http://h1n1.fsu.edu for more information about how to negotiate class absences. Remember, in order to keep others from developing flu symptoms, you need to stay home, until 24 hours after the fever is gone.

The most important tool to protect yourself from influenza is frequent hand washing and avoiding the sharing of personal items, food, or drink with others. Patients with influenza are contagious starting 24 hours before symptoms begin, meaning that even a seemingly well person can infect others before he/she knows he/she is ill.

The Student Health Center is still waiting on its main shipment of seasonal flu shots and will notify students as soon as it is available for the general student population. H1N1 vaccine shipments are unscheduled at this time, but may begin as early as late October. Students will be notified by email as soon as more information regarding H1N1 vaccination is known.

Sincerely,
Lesley Sacher, Director
lsacher@admin.fsu.edu
Thagard Student Health Center