Messages to the Community

To FPS: Clarification about H1N1 Influenza Vaccine for Children
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine on Friday
H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Today
Appel's FAQs this Week (Nov. 6)
To Students: Weekend Medical Care and Flu
To Parents: H1N1 Vaccine Update
Fall Break Hours and Seasonal Flu Vaccine
To Students: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care (Oct. 2)
To Students: H1N1 Update for Family Weekend
To FPS: H1N1 Update (Sept. 28)
To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care (Sept. 25)
A Message to Parents: H1N1 Update
To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care
A Message to FPS about Flu Vaccine
To Students: Weekend and After Hours Health Care and Flu
To Students: Appel Health Services Weekend Hours and Flu
First Case of Flu Reported (August 31, 2009)
A Message to Students (August 26, 2009)
A Letter to Parents of Current Students (August 26, 2009)
A Message to Faculty and Professional Staff (August 26, 2009)
A Message to Off-campus Study Students (August 14, 2009)
Some CTY Campers Sent Home with Flu (July 9, 2009)
An Update (May 15, 2009)
An Update to the Campus Community (May 1, 2009)

To FPS: Clarification about H1N1 Influenza Vaccine for Children

Dear FPS,

We do not have the pediatric H1N1 influenza vaccine required for children below the age of 4, and we will not be getting it. Children between 4 and 10 years old require 2 doses of the vaccine. We can give the second dose on December 18. I will let you know where and when.

Children over the age of 10 require only one dose of the vaccine.

Please let me know if you have other questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

H1N1 Influenza Vaccine on Friday

November 16, 2009

Dear College Community,

Appel Health Services has scheduled the administration of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine at Booth Ferris North in the Steinman College Center for the following time:

Friday, November 20 from 10 to 4
(Tuesday, November 17 session cancelled)

Who can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine?

Spouses and children of FPS who qualify as per the below categories and have been unable to obtain the H1N1 influenza vaccine elsewhere, may receive it on Friday, November 20 from 10 to 4.

Groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine first, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relevant to our campus are:

any F&M student
pregnant women
people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
health care and emergency medical personnel
any FPS or children (over 6 months old) of FPS under the age of 24
any FPS from 25 through 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system

Even if you had the flu already it is recommended you get the vaccine unless you were tested and positive specifically for H1N1. There is no charge for the vaccine. No appointment is necessary, just walk in at the above time if you are in a group recommended to get it first.

The vaccine being given at F&M is an injection and not the live nasal vaccine. Only one injection of the H1N1 influenza vaccine is required for those over 10 years of age. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is considered as safe and effective as the seasonal influenza vaccine. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly (marianne.kelly@fandm.edu)

H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Today

November 12, 2009

Dear College Community,

Appel Health Services has scheduled the administration of the H1N1 influenza vaccine at Booth Ferris North in the Steinman College Center for the following times:

Thursday, November 12 from 10 to 4
Friday, November 13 from 10 to 4
Tuesday, November 17 from 10 to noon
Friday, November 20 from 10 to 4

Who can get the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine?

Groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine first, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relevant to our campus are:

any F&M student (Even if you think you had the flu already you should get the vaccine unless you were tested and positive specifically for H1N1.)
pregnant women
people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
health care and emergency medical personnel
any FPS under the age of 24
any FPS from 25 through 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system

We should have enough vaccine for all of the above. If there is any left after the above groups receive it we may be able to vaccinate healthy 25 through 64 year old FPS and any FPS over 65 years. You will be informed about this by e-mail.

There is no charge for the vaccine. No appointment is necessary, just walk in at the above times if you are in a group at F&M recommended to get it first.

For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

Appel's FAQs this Week (Nov. 6)

Are you still seeing cases of swine flu and where is the vaccine?

Yes, in fact this week we saw more cases of influenza than we have since Labor Day weekend. We still do not know when we will receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine despite our best efforts to find out. Remember to e-mail me or leave a voice mail if you think you have influenza over the weekend and go home. If you cannot go home call your Prefect so that you can get a flu pack and make arrangements for meals. If you have severe symptoms access health care as listed below.

How will you know when the seasonal flu hits campus and where is the vaccine?

The symptoms of seasonal influenza will be the same as H1N1 influenza. We are participating with Pennsylvania Department of Health's surveillance testing. When one of our tests is positive for influenza A but negative for H1N1 or positive for influenza B that will be an indication that we are seeing seasonal influenza as well. We will let you know. You can call now and be put on a waiting list to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine when the rest of our supply arrives.

Weekend and After Hours Health Care

Appel Health Services - 10 to noon Saturday

Emergencies - call DPS 717-291-3939 (DEMT response 7 to 7 Friday and Saturday)

Urgent Care - LGH or LRMC emergency rooms

Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 717-291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Sat. and Sun.

Nurseline for advice 1-866-330-2885

Hope you have a healthy weekend,

Dr. Kelly
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu
717-291-4082

To Students: Weekend Medical Care and Flu

October 30, 2009

Dear Students,

Remember, if you experience an influenza-like illness over the weekend when Appel is closed please leave a voice mail at Appel or e-mail me. If you can go home, please do so. If you cannot go home, please stay in your room and notify your Prefect so meals can be arranged and you can get a flu packet. Also your roommate can be relocated for five days. Below are provisions for weekend care.

We are expecting more seasonal influenza vaccine in November. We do not know when Appel will get the H1N1 vaccine we ordered. You will receive an e-mail notice when these vaccines are here.

Weekend and After Hours Health Care

Appel Health Services - 10 to noon Saturday

Emergencies - call DPS 717-291-3939 (DEMT response 7 to 7 Friday and Saturday)

Urgent Care - LGH or LRMC emergency rooms

Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 717-291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Sat. and Sun.

Nurseline for advice 1-866-330-2885

Happy Halloween. Be safe.

Dr. Kelly
717-291-4082
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

To Parents: H1N1 Vaccine Update

October 28, 2009

Dear Parents,

Today's Lancaster newspaper reported that the mother of a Franklin & Marshall student had called Lancaster Regional Medical Center trying to obtain H1N1 vaccine for her son. The medical center does not have any and alerted Franklin & Marshall's Health Services to the parent's call.

The College has been diligent in following all recommended steps to secure H1N1 vaccine for our students. Director of Health Services Marianne Kelly, M.D., has ordered enough H1N1 vaccine for all Franklin & Marshall students, as well as enough for faculty and professional staff in higher-risk groups. The state's Health Department is distributing vaccine but does not provide a timetable for distribution. Once the College receives the vaccine, Dr. Kelly will, of course, notify students immediately.

As you likely know from the daily news coverage of the H1N1 epidemic, manufacturers of the vaccine worldwide have run into unforeseeable problems with vaccine yield and packaging that have delayed distribution and have reduced the amount of vaccine initially available. Please know that we have taken all reasonable steps to ensure delivery to the campus as soon as a supply becomes available.

Since the beginning of the semester, 150 Franklin & Marshall students have reported flu-like symptoms. While new cases have developed every week, the College has experienced no spike in cases since Labor Day, and no case has had severe complications.

For your information, Health Services staff administered seasonal-flu vaccine to 300 students, and Dr. Kelly expects another supply of that vaccine in November.

Please refer to our flu Web site at www.fandm.edu/swineflu for further updates.

Sincerely,

Kent Trachte
Dean of the College

Fall Break Hours and Seasonal Flu Vaccine

October 16, 2009

Dear Students,

Please note that Appel Health Services will be open for usual hours over fall break. 10 to noon on Saturday, 8 to 5:30 on Monday and Tuesday. The DEMT (Diplomat Emergency Medical Technician) Service will not be in effect this weekend.

Over 300 students received the seasonal influenza vaccine this week. Students who were unable to attend this week's flu clinics, particularly those with medical conditions putting them at higher risk of complications from the flu, may schedule an appointment at AHS to receive the vaccine. The supply is limited, but we are expecting to receive more in November, so we will put you on a waiting list when we run out. We have no word yet on when we will receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine.

Weekend and After Hours Health Care

Appel Health Services - 10 to noon Saturday

Emergencies - call DPS 717-291-3939 (no DEMT response over fall break)

Urgent Care - LGH or LRMC emergency rooms

Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 717-291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Sat. and Sun.

Have a safe and healthy fall break,

Dr. Kelly

To Students: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine

October 8, 2009

Dear Students,

Appel Health Services has scheduled two days next week for you to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine. We would like to give priority for the first batch to students with chronic conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from influenza. This includes students with asthma or other respiratory problems, diabetes mellitus, cardiac abnormalities, blood disease, kidney, neuromuscular, and endocrine problems, immunosuppression by disease or medication, or students who are pregnant.

When

Wednesday, October 14 from 10 AM until 3 PM (Students at higher risk please try to come this day.) Thursday, October 15 from 10 AM until 2 PM.

Where

Booth Ferris North, Steinman College Center

Cost

$15 by exact cash, check made out to Appel Health Services, or charge to your College account

You do not need to call. You do not need to make an appointment. Just walk in to Booth Ferris at the above times. If too many students are there at one time we may need to ask students not at higher risk to defer until the higher risk students are vaccinated. Also we expect to be getting more seasonal flu vaccine in about three weeks, so if we run out of it next week, don't despair.

This is not the vaccine to protect from H1N1. That vaccine has not arrived yet. Students who have already had influenza this semester can still get the seasonal influenza vaccine.

Stay healthy,

Dr. Kelly

To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care (Oct. 2)

October 2, 2009

Dear Students,

Here are questions asked frequently this week.

Why don't you have the seasonal flu shot yet?

We usually do not provide the seasonal influenza vaccine to students until after fall break, so we are not behind our normal schedule. We submit our order a year ahead of time. Initially our supplier told us we might get the seasonal flu vaccine earlier this season, but then due to the federal push to get the H1N1 vaccine out, efforts were diverted to that. We still expect to get our seasonal flu vaccine, and we are hoping to be able to provide it to students before fall break. So please, have patience and realize that the timing of when our vaccine arrives is beyond our control. If you cannot wait, you can get the seasonal influenza vaccine at Walgreens on Lititz Pike, 717-290-2012.

How do you know whether I have influenza or a cold?

Typically influenza is of sudden onset, with a fever greater than 100°F, a cough and/or sore throat, and significant body aches. The common cold comes on more gradually, usually does not have a fever, can have a cough, often has stuffy and/or runny nose, and does not have significant body aches. Treatment for either is symptomatic, unless you are at higher risk for complications of influenza and require anti-viral prescription medications. Prevention is the same for both as well, except that there is no common cold vaccine. See http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/prevention/index.html

Weekend Health Care

Appel Health Services 10 to noon Saturday

Emergencies - call DPS 717-291-3939 (EMS responds 7 PM to 7 AM Fri. and Sat.)

Urgent Care - LGH or LRMC emergency rooms

Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 717-291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Sat. and Sun.

If you have symptoms of influenza go home if you can and e-mail your Prefect and me. If you are unable to go home stay in your room, and let your Prefect and me know. If you have severe symptoms with influenza, such as shortness of breath or confusion, or underlying medical problems that put you at higher risk of complications from the flu, you should be checked medically.

Happy Family Weekend,

Dr. Kelly
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

To Students: H1N1 Update for Family Weekend

September 30, 2009

Dear students:

In preparation for Family Weekend October 2-4, I updated parents last week on the College's experience with H1N1 influenza. That message is on our H1N1 site. I'm writing to brief you as well.

Since the beginning of the semester, 115 Franklin & Marshall students have been diagnosed with influenza-like illness. Because limited testing has confirmed influenza A and because H1N1 is the influenza A that is circulating in the U.S. now, Director of Heath Services Marianne Kelly, M.D., expects that most of our cases are H1N1. Most symptomatic students have recovered, as the virus runs its course in about five days. No student has had serious complications. Nevertheless, we are prepared for that possibility, and the College's H1N1 Task Force continues to develop contingency plans that we would implement in the event of a more serious epidemic.

Much as we would like to see all Franklin & Marshall families at Family Weekend, I have cautioned parents who have certain medical conditions that there is some risk in visiting campus. Conditions that pose a higher risk of complications from H1N1 include blood disorders, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, neuromuscular disorders, neurological disorders, pregnancy, and a weakened immune system.

We're also sensitive to the possibility that a family member could unwittingly bring flu to campus. Therefore, I have asked that families who have any member who has flu-like symptoms to consider postponing their visit. These measures will help to stop the spread of the flu and to prevent any undue complications to your families and to our campus community.

Dr. Kelly will continue to keep you informed about vaccine availability, common questions and other related information.

Sincerely,

Dean Trachte

To FPS: H1N1 Update (Sept. 28)

September 28, 2009

Dear members of the faculty and professional staff:

Last week Dean of the College Kent Trachte updated parents on the College's experience with H1N1 influenza. That message is on our H1N1 site. I'm writing to brief you as well.

To date, 110 Franklin & Marshall students have been diagnosed with influenza-like illness. Because limited testing has confirmed influenza A and because H1N1 is the influenza A circulating in the U.S. now, Director of Heath Services Marianne Kelly, M.D., expects that most of these cases are H1N1. Most symptomatic students have recovered, as the virus runs its course in about five days. No student has had serious complications.

Due to the persistence of this virus in our community, Dr. Kelly has advised the College's H1N1 Task Force to encourage faculty and staff who are at higher risk of complications if they get the flu or who have infants less than 6 months old to contact their health care providers. Those at higher risk of complications from H1N1 include:

pregnant women;
people who have underlying medical conditions such as blood disorders, cancer, chronic lung disease or asthma, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, neurological disorders, or neuromuscular disorders; and
people who have weakened immune systems, including those with HIV or AIDS and those who are receiving chemotherapy.
If you have a higher risk of complications or have a child under 6 months, Dr. Kelly recommends that you consult your health care provider about obtaining antiviral medication in case you contract the flu and for advice on other precautionary measures.

Please consult the College's H1N1 web site for more information and to monitor any changes in the situation.

Sincerely,

Nancy Collins
Vice President for College Communications

To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care (Sept. 25)

September 25, 2009

Dear Students,

Here are questions asked frequently this week.

It seems as if a lot of students are sick? Do most of them have the flu?

Actually a very small % of students currently have influenza like illness (ILI). As of this morning 105 students have been diagnosed with ILI since the beginning of the semester, however, most of them have since recovered. My prediction from this week's numbers is that 1% or less of the students here currently have influenza.

What else is "going around"?

In addition to H1N1, and other common respiratory viruses, Appel is diagnosing more streptococcal throat infections than usual this semester. Also quite a few students are experiencing allergy symptoms this time of year.

Does Appel have the seasonal flu vaccine yet?

Unfortunately, no, and our supplier is telling us it is delayed until mid-October. We are now planning to try to administer it before fall break. If you want to get it sooner, Walgreens on Lititz Pike has the seasonal flu vaccine. You can walk in between 10 and 4 this weekend on Saturday or Sunday and on Monday or Wednesday next week. On Thursday, October 1 the hours are 1 to 5. After October 1 you need to schedule an appointment. The phone # is 717-290-2012. The cost is $25. You also need to be over 18 years old.

Weekend Health Care

Appel Health Services is open from 10 AM to noon on Saturday. For emergencies when Appel is closed contact DPS at 717-291-3939 for assistance (EMS also responds between 7 PM and 7 AM Friday and Saturday). For non-emergencies you can obtain medical advice from Nurseline 866-330-2885.

If you have symptoms of influenza when Appel is closed you may go home and e-mail your Prefect and me that you have done so. If you are unable to go home stay in your room. Your College House has flu packs that contain recommendations for self-care including symptomatic medications and provisions for fluids. Your Prefect or HA can advise you on how to access the flu packs and how to get meals. If you have severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion, or underlying medical problems that increase your risk of complications from the flu, you should be checked.

Urgent care when Appel is closed is through Lancaster General Hospital or Lancaster Regional Medical Center Emergency rooms or the Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 717-291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday.

Have a healthy weekend,

Dr. Kelly

A Message to Parents: H1N1 Update

September 23, 2009

Dear Parents,

I am writing to provide an update on Franklin & Marshall College's experience with the H1N1 virus and to offer some advice if you are planning to visit campus on Family Weekend, October 2-4.

Since the beginning of the semester, 98 students have been diagnosed with influenza-like illness. Following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols, we have presumed that most of our symptomatic students have had H1N1. Most ill students have recovered quickly, as the infection generally runs its course in five days. Over the past week the number of cases has declined. Our Director of Student Health Services Marianne Kelly, M.D., has been writing students every Friday answering the week's top questions about the illness and reminding students how to obtain medical care over the weekends. Dr. Kelly's messages appear on our flu Web site at http://www.fandm.edu/swineflu.

So far, our students have been spared serious complications from H1N1. Nevertheless, we are prepared for that possibility, and our H1N1 Task Force continues to develop contingency plans that we would implement in the event of a more serious epidemic.

We also recognize that the H1N1 virus, which has persisted in the U.S. since last April, may return repeatedly throughout the academic year, infecting a different group of students each time. To help prevent recurrence, we are counting on the H1N1 vaccine, which is due for distribution in October. When we receive our supply, we will offer vaccine to our community according to the guidelines we've established in our H1N1 plan at http://www.fandm.edu/swineflu. We expect to receive vaccine for the seasonal flu by the end of September and will offer it to students as soon as it becomes available.

If you plan to come to Franklin & Marshall for Family Weekend, please take note of the following two matters. First, because we believe that H1N1 is present in our student population, we must caution any family members who have certain medical conditions that there is some risk in visiting campus. Conditions that pose a higher risk of complications from H1N1 include blood disorders, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders, pregnancy, and a weakened immune system. If you have questions about the advisability of a family member visiting campus, we encourage you to consult your health care provider.

Much as we would like to see all of you at Family Weekend, we're also sensitive to the possibility that a family member could unwittingly bring flu to campus. Therefore, if a family member has flu-like symptoms next week, please consider postponing your visit. We appreciate your following these recommendations as they will help to stop the spread of the flu and to prevent any undue complications to you or to Franklin & Marshall students.

I look forward to seeing you on October 2-4. Safe travels.

Sincerely,

Kent Trachte
Dean of the College

To Students: FAQs and Weekend Health Care

September 18, 2009

Dear Students,

See below for weekend health services and read on for this week's frequently asked questions.

Could my fever and cough be from the seasonal flu rather than H1N1?

We do not have reports of the seasonal flu circulating in the population yet, and we do have evidence that the influenza A that colleges are seeing is H1N1. Seasonal flu usually shows up late fall and winter. So get your flu shot to prevent it. We expect to have flu shot clinics for the seasonal flu on September 30 and October 1 if our supply arrives by then. We will let you know when and where.

Why can't I go to class for 5 days if I get the flu?

You don't have to stay away from class for 5 days if your fever and cough are better before that time. We ask you to stay home or in your room until 24 hours after your fever is gone. Also your cough should be under control before you return to class or other social activities. These measures are meant to reduce the spread of influenza on campus. So please be a pig in a blanket* and stay in your pigpen* until better if you get the flu.

*pig in a blanket: A sick student complying with doctor's advice to stay home, drink fluids and get plenty of rest.

*pigpen: A sick student's room, where he or she stays until 24 hours without fever, off of fever reducing medication.

*glossary courtesy of http://web.jhu.edu/administration/flu/updates/091309.html

Appel Health Services is open from 10 AM to noon on Saturday. For emergencies when Appel is closed contact DPS at 717-291-3939 for assistance. For non-emergencies you can obtain medical advice from Nurseline 866-330-2885.

Have a healthy weekend,

Dr. Kelly

A Message to FPS about Flu Vaccine

September 16, 2009

Dear FPS,

I regret to inform you that Appel Health Services will be unable to provide the seasonal influenza vaccine to faculty and professional staff this year. The supply that we anticipate receiving is limited and reserved for students. I recommend that you try to obtain it from your primary care physician or from another source, such as one of the pharmacies below.

Walgreen Drug Store, Lititz Pike, 10 to 4 every day except Wednesdays (and not this coming weekend), $24.99

Savemart, Roseville Road, 10 to 5 on September 23 and October 21, $25

CVS not until October (I will let you know when.)

You will be informed when the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine arrives, and presumably we will have enough to provide to the following groups (in addition to students and health care workers) that are recommended to get it first. These are pregnant women, any FPS younger than 24 years old, adults with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications from the flu, and parents and child care givers of infants less than 6 months old.

Sincerely,

Marianne Kelly, M.D.
Director, Student Health Services
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

To Students: Weekend and After Hours Health Care and Flu

September 11, 2009

Dear Students,

If you have symptoms of influenza when Appel is closed you may go home and e-mail your Prefect and me that you have done so. If you are unable to go home stay in your room. Your College House has flu packs that contain recommendations for self-care including symptomatic medications and provisions for fluids. Your Prefect or HA can advise you on how to access the flu packs and how to get meals. If you have severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion, or underlying medical problems that put you at higher risk of complications from the flu, you should be checked.

Urgent care when Appel is closed is through Lancaster General Hospital or Lancaster Regional Medical Center Emergency rooms or the Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday.

Read on for two frequently asked questions this week.

1. Are you continuing to see cases of the flu at Appel?

We have diagnosed a few cases of influenza each day this week. The symptoms continue to be relatively mild and resolve within five days in most students. If your symptoms are severe or persist beyond five days you should be rechecked for other infections that can cause flu-like symptoms. To know what to do to keep from getting the flu click below:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/faq/swineflu/011.html

2. When are you getting the influenza vaccine?

We expect to have the seasonal influenza vaccine next week. The H1N1 vaccine should be available sometime later in October, and may only need to be one injection rather than two as previously predicted. You will receive e-mail notification when the vaccines arrive.

Have a healthy weekend,

Dr. Kelly

To Students: Appel Health Services Weekend Hours and Flu

September 4, 2009

Dear Students,

Appel Health Services is open from 10 AM to noon every Saturday during the semester starting tomorrow. Monday, Labor Day, AHS is open for regular hours, 8 AM to 5:30 PM. For emergencies when Appel is closed contact DPS at 717-291-3939 for assistance. For non-emergencies you can obtain medical advice from Nurseline 866-330-2885.

If you have symptoms of influenza when Appel is closed you may go home and e-mail your Prefect and me that you have done so. If you are unable to go home stay in your room. Your College House has flu packs that contain recommendations for self-care including symptomatic medications and provisions for fluids. Your Prefect or HA can advise you on how to access the flu packs and how to get meals. If you have severe symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion, or underlying medical problems that put you at higher risk of complications from the flu, you should be checked. Urgent care when Appel is closed is through Lancaster General Hospital or Lancaster Regional Medical Center Emergency rooms or the Urgent Care Center, 1821 Oregon Pike, 291-7221, 10 AM to 6 PM Saturday and Sunday.

Read on for two questions asked frequently this week about the 2009 H1N1 influenza.

1. Why aren't you testing me for the flu?

The rapid test for influenza A and B is not sensitive enough for H1N1 (an influenza A virus) to use routinely for diagnosing. Recent studies show that up to 60% of the time we are getting a false negative test in people with typical flu symptoms that include fever >100˚ F (38˚C), chills, and respiratory symptoms, as well as body aches and occasionally accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms. CDC is advising laboratories not to send samples routinely for further specific H1N1 testing. Someone with typical influenza symptoms at this time is presumed to have H1N1 influenza.

2. Why aren't you prescribing anti-viral medication for me?

The 2009 H1N1 influenza has been relatively mild and without serious complications in healthy young people who get it. The CDC recommends reserving anti-viral medication for people at risk for complications if they get the flu such as people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, or those immunocompromised from disease or medication. We are following the CDC guidelines that are meant to preserve the anti-viral medication supply for those who need it most and to reduce the possibility of resistance developing to the anti-viral medications.

For more information and especially ways to stay healthy check the useful websites accessed through http://www.fandm.edu/swineflu

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

First Case of Flu Reported (August 31, 2009)

Dear Parents:

As anticipated, the first case of influenza on campus arrived early. Today Franklin & Marshall College Health Services diagnosed influenza in a student who lives in a College residence. We are assuming, in keeping with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that this illness is the H1N1 flu. Accordingly, we have activated our Plan for Managing H1N1 Flu, which can be found at http://www.fandm.edu/swineflu. We also have reminded students of ways to prevent getting or spreading the virus. That advice is located in the Message to Students.

For future updates, please refer to fandm.edu/swineflu. Subsequent e-mails will be sent only in the event of significant changes in the environment.

Sincerely,

Kent Trachte
Dean of the College

A Message to Students (August 26, 2009)

Dear Students,

As our community anticipates the new academic year we are also preparing for the upcoming flu season. This year we have the additional concern about H1N1, also known as swine flu, as well as the usual seasonal flu. Below are frequently asked questions answered with the most up-to-date information. We intend to keep you apprised as the situation evolves.

1. How do I know if I have the flu, and should I be concerned if I do?

The seasonal influenza you are familiar with and H1N1 cause the same symptoms. The most common ones are the sudden onset of fever >100˚F (38˚C) or chills and respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, or stuffy nose. Additionally head and body aches and sometimes gastrointestinal symptoms occur. So far the H1N1 has been no worse than the seasonal flu. One difference, however, is that H1N1 has been affecting people your age more frequently than older people. Both types of influenza are potentially more serious in people who have underlying medical problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or immunosuppression putting them at higher risk for complications of the flu.

2. What should I do if I think I have the flu?

Healthy young people who get the flu are generally not at risk for medical complications and can treat themselves for the symptoms with over-the-counter medications.

We are suggesting:

Call Appel Health Services to report your illness and get advice from a nurse. Testing for influenza is not routinely recommended at this time. In certain instances we will suggest you come in for an appointment if you have more serious symptoms such as shortness of breath or confusion, but usually it will not be necessary for you to be examined.
Go home to recover if you live close enough to do so. If not, you can stay in your room to rest and recover. We will ask your permission to inform your College House Prefect so that meals can be delivered to you and your professors can be informed that you are on a short-term health leave that will excuse you from class.
Your HA can give you a mask and an influenza packet provided by AHS with disposable thermometers, symptomatic over-the-counter medications, and fluid provisions, but we strongly urge you to bring these items to campus with you. Some examples of symptomatic medications are throat lozenges, cough medicine, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce your fever and treat body aches.
If you have a medical problem that puts you at higher risk of complications with the flu come in for medical evaluation. Students at higher risk might be prescribed anti-viral medications. We are not routinely prescribing anti-viral medication in healthy young people with the flu in order to preserve the supply for the higher risk patients and to reduce the problem of the virus developing resistance. To avoid overwhelming emergency medical services, visits to the emergency room should be reserved for very ill or higher risk patients.
The roommate of a student with influenza who cannot go home will be given the opportunity to relocate for the duration of the roommate's illness. Students who choose not to relocate will be provided masks, as will the ill student.
Students who have influenza may return to class 24 hours after the fever (>100˚F or 38˚C) or signs of fever are gone without using fever reducing medication such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Most patients experiencing influenza fully recover within a week. Cleaning supplies will be provided for you to clean your living area.

3. How can I prevent getting or spreading this illness?

There are very important things you can do to help diminish this problem on campus. Most importantly you can avoid close contact with people who are ill. When you are ill you should cough or sneeze into a tissue and then dispose of it promptly, or cough into your elbow or shoulder if no tissues are available. You can spread the influenza virus by getting it on your hands and touching others, so frequent hand washing with soap and water is necessary, or use alcohol hand sanitizers if you cannot wash. Hand sanitizers will be readily available around campus at the entrances to buildings. In addition, regularly clean items that have frequent hand contact, such as keyboards, phones, doorknobs, and other commonly used surfaces. Additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is not recommended.

Appel Health Services will be trying to reduce your contact with influenza in our facility by using separate waiting areas for ill and well students and signage will encourage separate entrances. We provide masks and hand sanitizers in waiting areas.

It is also important that you keep your immune system efficient to decrease your chance of getting sick. This requires getting enough sleep a night, eating regularly and healthily, and addressing stresses in your life effectively. Remember Appel Health Services and Counseling Services is here to help you if you are having trouble with these recommendations.

4. What about the influenza vaccines?

The influenza vaccines are recommended for protection from the flu. We will inform you when our seasonal flu vaccine supply arrives. Initially we recommend the seasonal flu vaccine for students at high risk for complications of influenza such as students with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or immunosuppression. Then we will offer the seasonal flu vaccine to any students who want it while the supply lasts. The cost will be $15, which you may pay by cash or check or charge to your F&M account.

The H1N1 vaccine should start to be available later in October. It will be distributed by the state and we expect to receive a supply. There will be no cost. Two shots are currently recommended three to four weeks apart. Again the initial supply will be recommended to students at higher risk of complications, then to any student who wishes to receive it.

E-mail messages will inform you when the vaccines are available and how to obtain them.

5. Where can I get more information?

The College and Appel Health Services will keep you apprised of further developments primarily by our H1N1 flu Web site. The most up-to-date information will always be at the top of the page. The page also links you to excellent Web sites from The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the World Health Organization. This Web site is easily accessed from the current student gateway.

As always, please contact me or another health professional at Appel Health Services with concerns or questions.

Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly

Marianne L. Kelly, M.D.
Director, Student Health Services
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

Appel Health Services, 717-291-4082

A Letter to Parents of Current Students (August 26, 2009)

Dear Parents:

Since last spring H1N1 influenza has been the subject of considerable news coverage, and experts anticipate cases of this flu on college campuses during the fall semester. In light of these expectations, we are writing about our plans for managing H1N1 at Franklin & Marshall College.

Our planning has been informed by guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most current information concerning diagnostic tests and federal planning for vaccine development and distribution.

To date, the H1N1 virus has behaved as a typical flu virus in its symptoms and severity. It has not behaved typically in that it disproportionately affects young people. All influenzas are potentially more serious in people who have underlying medical problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or immunosuppression, putting them at higher risk of complications of the flu. The latest guidelines issued by the CDC reflect the history of relatively mild illness caused by this virus. Monitoring the agency's guidance regularly, we are prepared to adjust our procedures if the CDC determines that H1N1 is worsening.

As recommended by the CDC, the College's protocols for handling H1N1 cases focus on "self-isolation" (avoiding contact with others) to reduce transmission. We will encourage otherwise-healthy students having influenza-like symptoms to phone Health Services. Generally, they will not be tested routinely nor given antiviral medications. They will be encouraged to self-isolate, if possible by going home to recover. Students who are unable to go home will be advised to stay in their room to rest and recover. The College will arrange for food and beverages to be delivered to ill students and will coordinate issues of class absences and deadlines with faculty members.

Students having pre-existing medical conditions and influenza-like symptoms and otherwise-healthy students experiencing severe flu symptoms need to visit Health Services for medical evaluation.

We recommend that your student pack a thermometer, a fever reducer (acetaminophen or ibuprofen) and hand sanitizers. Masks and additional hand sanitizers will be available on campus.

Roommates of ill students will be offered the opportunity to relocate for several days. College House Prefects will coordinate this process in the College Houses, and the Office of the Dean of the College will oversee this process for theme houses.

We have also developed protocols for the distribution of H1N1 vaccine that the federal government anticipates making available free of charge, as well as the regular seasonal-flu vaccine that we expect to be available for $15.

The Centennial Conference and the NCAA will establish guidelines for cancellation and rescheduling of athletic contests due to illness.

Please consult the College's H1N1 Web site (http://www.fandm.edu/swineflu) for more detail on our protocols and to monitor any changes in the situation. The latest information will always be at the top of the page, and outdated protocols will be removed. Except for significant developments, the Web site will serve as the primary vehicle for communicating information about H1N1 at the College. The site is easily accessed on the Parents & Families gateway page.

The safety and well-being of Franklin & Marshall students is our highest concern. If you have any questions about our plans for handling H1N1, please contact either of us.

Sincerely,

Kent Trachte, Ph.D.
Dean of the College
kent.trachte@fandm.edu

Marianne Kelly, M.D.
Director of Health Services
marianne.kelly@fandm.edu

A Message to Faculty and Professional Staff (August 26, 2009)

Dear Members of the Faculty and Professional Staff:

Since last spring H1N1 influenza has been the subject of considerable news coverage, and most experts anticipate that cases of this flu will occur on college campuses during the fall semester. In light of these expectations, the College's H1N1 Planning Group has established protocols and guides to manage the flu at Franklin & Marshall.

The following guides, a combination of advice, expectations and policy, were developed in accordance with guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the medical advice of Director of Health Services Marianne Kelly, M.D. This information may be modified by the College at any time, due to changing conditions here at Franklin & Marshall and/or in the event a federal, state or local government agency advises other action.

The first section below applies to all who are employed by the College; the second applies to managers and department chairs.

H1N1 Guide for Faculty and Professional Staff

To help prevent illness, please take common-sense precautions such as washing your hands frequently, especially before handling food. Wash hands thoroughly for at least 60 seconds. Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze and dispose of it immediately, or if no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder. Although the H1N1 virus does not live long on surfaces, you may wish to wipe off your work surfaces (including desktop, door knobs, phone, etc.) with disinfecting wipes regularly.
If you experience symptoms of influenza, stay away from campus. Most common symptoms are fever or chills and cough or sore throat. Additional symptoms may include runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue, diarrhea or vomiting. Contact your primary care physician and follow his/her instructions regarding treatment and whether to report to work. Do not report to campus unless your physician believes you can safely report without spreading illness or causing your condition to worsen. Members of the faculty and professional staff are strongly encouraged to remain off campus and to contact their physician if experiencing flu-like symptoms, in order to receive proper treatment and to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
Individuals who have the flu are generally advised not to report back to work until at least 24 hours after fever has subsided without the use of fever-reducing medication. If you have flu-like symptoms but are unable to see or speak to your health care provider, follow the CDC guidelines and stay off campus until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.
Per standard College procedures, if you are unable to report to work due to illness, promptly contact your manager or department chair. Additionally, if you will be unable to report to work for four or more days or will be hospitalized, notify Human Resources at 291-3996.
To encourage individuals who have the flu to remain away from campus and get the rest and care they need, full-time members of the professional staff who reasonably believe they have contracted the H1N1 virus will receive up to an additional five consecutive days of paid sick leave. To be eligible for this increased sick leave, the professional staff member must contact Human Resources at 291-3996 to report his/her illness. These additional paid sick days may only be used this fiscal year, if a professional staff member needs to remain off work due to his/her own flu symptoms, as opposed to those of a family member.
If an employee must miss work to care for a family member who is ill, normal leave policies will apply: Full-time members of the faculty and professional staff may use up to 10 of their paid sick days per year when off work to care for an ill family member; non-exempt members of the professional staff may also use paid Family Illness Days; earned vacation days may be used; and employees may qualify for Family & Medical Leave - please see www.fandm.edu/humanresources or contact Human Resources at 291-3995 for more information. Employees are to contact Human Resources, 291-3996, if they will be absent for four or more work days to care for an ill family member.
Members of the faculty and professional staff are asked not to bring their children or other family members to campus if those family members have flu-like symptoms.
If diagnosed by your physician with H1N1 flu, please notify Franklin & Marshall's Director of Health Services Dr. Marianne Kelly (291-4082) or the Director of Human Resources Nancy Eshleman (291-4353). The information you provide will be kept confidential, and will help the College track the number of cases reported.
We recommend influenza vaccine particularly for pregnant women, caregivers of infants less than 6 months old and those at higher risk for complications of the flu such as people who have heart disease, diabetes, asthma or immunosuppression. Contact your primary care physician to discuss whether you should be vaccinated and/or to schedule an appointment.

Please consult the College's H1N1 Web site for more detail on our protocols and to monitor any changes in the situation. The latest information will always be at the top of the page, and outdated protocols will be removed. Except for significant developments, the Web site will serve as the primary vehicle for communicating information about H1N1 at the College. The site is easily accessed on the Faculty & Staff gateway page.

H1N1 Guide for Managers and Department Chairs

Managers and department chairs are asked to encourage their staff members to stay away from campus if experiencing flu-like symptoms, and to contact their health care provider and follow their health care provider's instructions.
Any employee who reports to campus with flu-like symptoms should be instructed to return home. Employees who have flu-like symptoms should not return to work until at least 24 hours after fever has subsided without the use of medication.
To protect the privacy of anyone who has contracted H1N1, the colleagues of an individual with H1N1 should not be told of the diagnosis. However, colleagues should be encouraged to stay away from campus and to contact their health care provider if they experience flu-like symptoms.
Managers and department chairs should assure business-continuity plans are in place and up-to-date, in the event several staff members are unable to report to work due to flu. Some suggestions are listed below:

Identify and document key processes and procedures; save documentation in a private departmental eDisk folder or other area where it will be accessible to department members. Be sure to guard confidential information appropriately.

Provide "cross training" to staff members and assign backups for key processes and functions, to assure such functions can be carried out even during absences.

Ask your staff members to identify those work tasks that could be performed from home if necessary, and what equipment, IT connections or other resources they would need to carry out such tasks from home.

Consider providing laptops to key staff members as budgets allow, so they can work from home if mildly ill or if they must be home with ill family members.

If a staff member will not be able to work for an extended period, his/her department manager should contact Assistant Director of Human Resources Laura Fiore at 291-4278 to discuss filling the vacancy temporarily if needed. For extended faculty vacancies, contact the associate dean of the faculty who is the liaison to your department, Alan Caniglia, Carol de Wet or Tamara Goeglein, at 291-3985.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at 291-4353.

Sincerely,

Nancy Eshleman
Director, Human Resources

A Message to Off-campus Study Students (August 14, 2009)

Dear Off-Campus Study Student,

Whether you are already engaged in your off-campus study program or in the midst of packing in anticipation of leaving very soon, we are touching base with you about the H1N1 virus and any possible impact it may have on your off-campus study experience.

We're sure you've been hearing about H1N1 and may have received information about it from your off-campus study program staff. While sites like World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can provide you with general information, because H1N1 may impact different geographic regions in different ways and program staffs will have worked out ways to respond, it is very important that you pay attention to any information about H1N1 sent to you by your program.

While it is unlikely, if at any time it looks as if your time away is being jeopardized by the H1N1 flu virus, please do not hesitate to contact us to determine your next steps. This office will work with you and your program in resolving issues related to returning home, credit, possible refunds and any other issues that might arise.

We hope you have a wonderful semester and we can't wait to hear your stories and see your photos when you return to campus.

Best wishes,

Dean Brown

Dean Zeimis

Some CTY Campers Sent Home with Flu (July 9, 2009)

Dear Members of the Campus Community,

Over the past several days the Center for Talented Youth summer program at Franklin & Marshall College has sent home 11 children who had flu-like symptoms. Because of the risk of transmission of influenza and because of the public’s concerns about H1N1 virus in particular, Johns Hopkins University, sponsor of CTY, has established a protocol of sending symptomatic children home. The CTY administrator informed us that four of the affected campers have tested positive for Influenza A, and the rest are negative. Further testing would be needed to determine whether the Influenza A is the H1N1 variety.

Ill campers will be allowed to return once they are well, and one camper already has returned. There are 580 children enrolled in CTY at Franklin & Marshall.

One CTY staff member also had flu-like symptoms and was separated from the rest of the campus population. His test result was negative for Influenza A, and he will return to the program once he has recovered.

Associate Vice President for Facilities and Operations Maria Cimilluca reports that the indoor spaces that were used by the symptomatic children and staff member have all been sanitized according to the standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm (scroll down to “Contamination & Cleaning”).

Elsewhere, CTY yesterday suspended its program at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., after 40 of the 485 participants showed signs of the flu. The precautionary measure was intended to prevent further spread of the illness.

According to the CDCP, symptoms of H1N1 include a fever of 100 degrees F. or higher, respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat or cough, and body aches. If you have any of these symptoms, please see your health care provider. Franklin & Marshall students should go to one of the following providers:

Urgent Care Center at 1821 Oregon Pike
General Internal Medicine at 2301 Columbia Ave.
Lancaster General Emergency Room

Sincerely,

Nancy Collins
Vice President for College Communications

An Update (May 15, 2009)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported yesterday that the first case of H1N1 flu in Lancaster County has been confirmed. The case was reported as "probable" last week.

Plans for tomorrow's Commencement at Franklin & Marshall College are unchanged.

Nancy Collins
Vice President for College Communications

An Update to the Campus Community (May 1, 2009)

Dear members of the Franklin & Marshall campus community:

The Emergency Management Team has been working closely throughout this week to prepare for the possibility of the 2009 H1N1 flu, formerly known as "swine flu," on our campus. While there are currently no known cases at Franklin & Marshall, if one should develop, the College would implement an appropriate protocol, such as separating the person from contact with other members of the community.

At this writing there are five probable cases in Pennsylvania. Among colleges and universities within a 100-mile radius of Lancaster, the University of Delaware has four confirmed cases and six probable. Our Director of Student Health Services Marianne Kelly, M.D., notes that the cases that have been reported in the United States have been mild, with the exception of a 22-month-old child from Mexico who died in Texas.

We have developed a Web page at www.fandm.edu/swineflu containing background information and medical advice from Dr. Kelly and links to useful sources tracking this disease at the state, national and global level. We will update this site with selected news coverage, letters by Dr. Kelly and other information as needed. For instant notification of developments, follow this matter on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fandmcollege.

If you are a member of the faculty or professional staff planning foreign business travel, please register your travel plans at http://www.fandm.edu/x7916. Registering will give you access to valuable services including travel alerts.

If you are a student or a member of the faculty or professional staff planning a vacation or study abroad, please review the U.S. Department of State travel advisories.

In preparation for Commencement, the College is ordering a supply of face masks and hand sanitizer for people who wish to use them.

Please direct any medical queries to Dr. Kelly or your personal physician, as appropriate, and any other pertinent requests to your administrative head.

Sincerely

Nancy Collins
Vice President for College Communications

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