Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Contact: (504) 865-3835
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information
As you may know, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and other global health organizations are expecting widespread illness resulting from the spread of the H1N1 influenza virus (also known as swine flu) during the coming flu season. According to the CDC, students of traditional college age (18-24 years old) have been identified as a group particularly vulnerable for susceptibility to the H1N1 virus. At this time, however, it is sensible to prepare for the pandemic flu's effect at Loyola University New Orleans.
In particular, it is important that we do everything we can to limit the impact and spread of the flu on the health and well-being of our community. We encourage you to consider the following issues.
Most people with H1N1 flu experience illness similar to seasonal flu which includes a combination of fever, cough, sore throat, extreme fatigue and/or body aches. We can spread H1N1 flu to each other through direct contact much like that of seasonal flu. This includes spread by person-to-person transmission though shaking hands, coughing or sneezing. According to the CDC, people may become infected by touching objects with flu viruses and then touching their mouth, eyes or nose.
Be mindful and protect yourself by following these CDC recommendations: 1) cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, 2) wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze, 3) avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, 4) cough or sneeze into your elbow to decrease the likelihood of spreading the flu.
Consider purchasing a supply of soup, liquids such as water or electrolyte drinks, fever reducing medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and a thermometer just in case you become ill.
Student Health Services (SHS), located on the lower level of the Danna Student Center, is responsible for the prevention, care and treatment of Loyola students exposed to the H1N1 influenza virus. Employees are encouraged to visit their primary care physician should they develop symptoms. In addition to providing prevention information to students, the university has also distributed hand sanitizers across campus, re-emphasized hand-washing guidelines for everyone in the university community, and stocked supplies of masks, hand sanitizers and seasonal (regular, non-H1N1) flu vaccine at SHS, which are all available now upon request. In the future, SHS will attempt to secure the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available for distribution to administer.
Students who have flu-like symptoms can be tested for the H1N1 virus on a walk-in basis. Students who are symptomatic and/or test positive for H1N1 will be asked to return to their home and avoid contact with people as much as possible. These students should stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. If returning home is not an option, then we ask that students isolate in their residence hall rooms and remain isolated until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications as recommended by the CDC. If you test positive for H1N1 then a SHS medical staff member will contact you until you are fever-free for 24 hours to ensure follow-up care. In addition, feel free to contact your Resident Assistant by phone to coordinate meal delivery.
Remember to contact your professors promptly if you have to miss class due to illness so appropriate accommodations can be made. If you do become ill, rest as much as possible, drink plenty of fluids and use pain and fever reducers (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) as directed to manage body aches and fever.
For more information, please visit the Center for Disease Control website or call Student Health Services at (504) 865-3326. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Attending Loyola
University New Orleans is a very challenging and important
endeavor. You are faced with a large number of decisions and possibilities
affecting your personal, social, and academic choices; the challenge
of dealing with these decisions can be, at once, both exciting and anxiety
producing. At different points in each of our lives, we may turn to
others for guidance and support.
The University Counseling Center
exists to assist you in meeting the varied challenges of community life
at Loyola.
Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the counseling process because it is sometimes difficult or awkward to share personal feelings or sensitive issues with another person. The Counseling Center eases the process by ensuring that whatever is shared during a counseling session remains confidential.
Counseling records are independent of all university records, and information is released only with the express written consent of the student. The mere fact that a student may seek counseling is also confidential. Exceptions to confidentiality are extremely rare, e.g., a life may be in danger.
Services provided by the center are free to all Loyola students. The center staff is also available to meet with faculty and staff for consultation and referral information.
Appointments may be made with the administrative assistant in the University Counseling Center in Room 208 of the Danna Student Center or by calling 865-3835.
Please provide feedback about how we are doing by completing the University Counseling Center SATISFACTION SURVEY.