The H1N1 task force at APSU continues to track cases of flu suspected to be H1N1. The task force has 50 suspected flu-like illnesses reported from Sept. 26 – Oct. 2.

The task force began tracking cases with the beginning of the fall semester on Aug. 29. During the previous two weeks, the task force recorded 18 cases from Sept. 12-18 and 32 cases from Sept. 19-25. The University task force is collecting data from faculty and staff who report cases to a campus e-mail address set up through the APSU Health Services Web site for task force efforts. Student cases are reported to the task force by faculty who have been contacted by their students who are absent and indicate they are experiencing flu-like symptoms or have been diagnosed by a private physician. Student cases are also reported when diagnosed by the APSU Health Services staff.

University officials continue to educate and remind the University community of preventative measures you can use to avoid flu viruses that include:

• Wash your hands frequently, especially after touching or associating with people who are coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose, or when you have done any of these behaviors.
• Cover your cough with your sleeve or with a tissue and dispose of the tissue afterward.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Disinfect commonly used surfaces; viruses remain infectious on non-porous surfaces for up to 24 hours.
• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, chills, nausea, diarrhea), it is recommended that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the aid of fever reducing medications.

For the most current information regarding swine flu cases and actions planned by the University you can visit http://www.apsu.edu/healthservices/H1N1.aspx ^[1]