The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is not recommending closing schools; however, the best advice for you at this time is to take personal precautions to keep yourself and those around you healthy by following these steps:

What can I do to prevent contraction of the flu?

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  
  
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  
  
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.

• Identify a buddy who can bring you food, medications, school assignments, etc.
  
  
• Have a supply of food, water, juices and disposable tissues.
  
  
• Compile phone numbers and/or e-mail addresses of family, friends and professors you would need to contact.
  
  
• Maintain an adequate supply of clean clothes.
  
  

What if I have flu-like symptoms?

• Residential students with flu-like symptoms who live within the greater Houston-Galveston metropolitan area should notify the Office of Residence Life and return home.
  
  Those from a greater distance should return to their residential room, notify the Office of Residence Life (713-525-3836) and follow guidelines as advised by Residence Life.
  
  
• Students who are ill should stay away from others for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines even if taking antiviral drugs.
  
  
• Non-residential students with flu-like symptoms should go home, and do so in a way that limits contact with others as much as possible.  For example, travel by private car or taxi would be preferable over use of public transportation.
  

• Students should make an appointment to see a physician. If you do not have a physician, you may call the University of Texas Health Services at 713-500-3248 to make an appointment.
  
  
• Faculty and staff should contact their primary care physician.

What if I have a confirmed case of H1N1 flu?

• Students should contact the University of St. Thomas Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at 713-525-3513.
  
  
• If you are an on-campus resident, also contact the Office of Residence Life at 713-525-3836.
  
  
• Please understand that it is the student’s responsibility to contact his/her professors if he/she is ill and will miss class.
  
  
• Faculty and staff should contact their immediate supervisor.
  

Will seasonal flu shots be available on campus?
Yes, seasonal flu shots will be available on campus on Tuesday, October 6 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Old Bookstore in Crooker Center.  The cost of the vaccine is $25/person payable by cash or check.  Please register for your flu shot by sending an email to wellness@stthom.edu.  Enter “flu shot” in the subject line.

Will H1N1 flu shots be available on campus?
The H1N1 flu vaccine will not be made available by the manufacturer until mid to late October.  At this time, University of Texas Health Services (UTHS) does not know when they will receive the vaccine, how much they will receive, or how much the vaccine will cost.  The Office of Health Promotion and Wellness is working closely with UTHS to make sure that we will have the vaccine on campus as soon as it becomes available. 

Who should be considered a priority recipient of the H1N1 vaccine in case there is a shortage of supply?
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there is no expectation that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand can be unpredictable.  In the case that the vaccine becomes available in limited quantities, the following should receive the vaccine first:

• pregnant women,
  
  
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
  
  
• health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact,
  
  
• children 6 months through 4 years of age, and
  
  
• children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.