Indiana University Northwest is encouraging its students and staff members to self-report cases of the H1N1 symptoms electronically in order to keep track of suspected or confirmed cases of the flu.

Students and staff are urged to participate in an online survey or to submit an email if they experience flu-like symptoms.

The survey is at http://tinyurl.com/iunh1n1

and the email is H1N1rept@iun.edu

All information submitted will be kept private and confidential, and will be used only for purposes of recording and evaluating the status of H1N1 cases on the IU Northwest campus.

IUN is also requesting faculty members who note higher class absenteeism than usual to make a report via the online survey. Students who note an unusual number of class cancellations are also asked to report this via the survey.

The symptoms of H1N1 include a fever greater than 100 degrees; a sore throat, headache, or cough; body aches and fatigue; and nausea or gastrointestinal distress. This does not apply to symptoms that are related to a known cause, such as headaches associated with migraines or coughing associated with asthma.

IUN also urges all students and staff to continue to take commonsense precautions against the spread of the H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses. These include washing and sanitizing hands frequently, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, and remaining home when flu-like symptoms are present.

IUN is also offering free doses of the H1N1 vaccine for students, faculty and staff who fall into high-risk categories for the influenza strain. These groups include anyone under age 25, pregnant women, and those between the ages of 25 and 64 who are at high risk due to other chronic illnesses that increase their susceptibility to H1N1.

Inoculations for these priority groups will continue through Dec. 8. At that point, the free vaccinations will be available to any other students or staff members as long as supplies are available. If demand for the priority groups is lower than expected, access to inoculation may be expanded prior to Dec. 8.

The vaccines are being offered at the IUN Health and Wellness Center. For hours and more information, see www.iun.edu/~health4u/

Posted 11/27/2009