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Nov. 1, 2009
 Over the last several months, colleges across the country have educated students on prevention of the spread of viruses, like common cold, seasonal flu, and especially, H1N1. Pfeiffer is no exception. This summer, the university's Pandemic Preparedness Task Force has updated its existing plan to ensure the initiatives will be effective to mitigate possible virus outbreaks and provide a healthy environment.
Despite best efforts, universities from Kansas to Georgia have reported hundreds of cases of students sick with the flu. Similarly, dozens of Pfeiffer students have exhibited virus-like symptoms, according to Sandy Miller, RN, director of health services.
Healthcare professionals, like Miller, say because college student often live in close quarters, college campuses are an excellent breeding ground for viruses. As a result, communication and education are imperative to ensure the campus community's well-being.
 As part of its pandemic plan, Pfeiffer is communicating regularly with local health officials and providing news and education via electronic communication, including emails and this flu web page dedicated to updates. Prevention materials have been posted across campus, distribution of hand sanitizer, including a station in the dining hall, as well as more disinfection of common surfaces.
Miller said preventing the spread of viruses is pretty easy if some guidelines are followed.
"If people will wash their hands often, get adequate sleep, exercise and eat properly, which means fresh fruits and vegetables, and no junk food, they can stay healthy," Miller said. "It's pretty simple."
Miller also suggests covering your cough by coughing into your elbow or shirt sleeves, getting at least 20 minutes daily of sun exposure (and the Vitamin D it provides), and keeping your hands away from your face are other easy-to-remember prevention strategies.
Oct. 12, 2009
 Flu Situation Update: 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Each week CDC analyzes information about influenza disease activity in the United States and publishes findings of key flu indicators in a report called FluView. During the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 3, 2009, influenza activity continued to increase in the United States. Flu activity is now widespread in 37 states, including North Carolina. Nationwide, visits to doctors for influenza-like-illness increased over last week and are higher than expected for this time of year. In addition, flu-related hospitalizations and deaths are increasing as well, and are higher than expected.
Oct. 1, 2009
The Stanly County Health Department, 1000-3 North First Street, Albemarle, is providing seasonal flu shots beginning, Friday, Oct. 2 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Please arrive before noon because they have a limited supply. The phone number is (704) 982-9171. Cost is $20.
The Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Rd. or 2845 Beatties Ford Rd., is now taking appointments for seasonal influenza vaccinations. Health Department staff will administer the seasonal flu vaccine only (H1N1 vaccine information will come at a later date) in immunization clinics at the Billingsley Beatties Ford roads locations. To make an appointment, call (704) 336-6500.
Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Many have questions about the vaccine, including when and where will it be available, who should get it and more. Click here to find the CDC's Q&A about the H1N1 Flu Vaccine.
Sept. 29, 2009
 Pfeiffer celebrates NATIONAL HAND-WASHING WEEK. Please use the new sanitizer pump station in the Dining Hall and utilize good hygiene when washing your hands. Have a HEALTHY week!
SPOTLIGHT: Learn how to effectively wash your hands to prevent the spread of germs and illness. Clean hands prevent infections. Keeping hands clean prevents illness at home, at school, and at work. Hand hygiene practices are key prevention tools in healthcare settings, in daycare facilities, in schools and public institutions, and for the safety of our food.
Sept. 9, 2009
Dear students, parents, faculty, and staff:
As the flu season intensifies, Pfeiffer University continues to review and execute its ongoing pandemic influenza management strategy. Because we take the health and safety of our campus community very seriously, the university's Pandemic Preparedness Task Force is working diligently to update the existing plan to ensure the initiatives will be effective to mitigate possible outbreaks of several viruses that are spreading this season, including the 2009 H1N1 (or swine) flu.
Most North American cases of the H1N1 flu have been relatively mild, but individual cases can be severe. As a result, communication and education strategies are imperative to ensure our campus community's well-being. First and foremost, to avoid spreading any virus, please take appropriate precautions. If you become sick and experience flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, body aches, headache, fatigue and a sore throat), please self-quarantine or stay home to prevent the spread to others. If you are a residential student, contact St
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About This Site
Pfeiffer has prepared this site to convey information to students, faculty, staff, parents and others about our plan and preparations for dealing with influenza, including the H1N1 virus.
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udent Health Services at (704) 463-3425 to schedule an appointment or for more information. Additionally, residential students can contact their Residential Assistant to discuss plans to accommodate you while you recover comfortably in your room.
The university's main goal is to ensure the health and safety of students, faculty and staff. This pandemic plan will include providing updated news and education to the campus community via electronic communication and the university web site, posted materials and bulletin boards across campus, and the student newspaper - the Falcon's Eye.
In addition to education and communication, additional university initiatives include:
- Distributing prevention literature and providing hand sanitizer across campus, including a hand sanitizer pump station will be installed in the Dining Hall.
 Conducting regular meetings among university officials to identify solutions and address issues related to alleviating the effects of the virus.- Communicating frequently with infectious disease specialists and county health officials.
- Housekeeping staff will take additional measures to disinfect and sanitize common areas, especially in residence halls, and provide special cleaning in areas where the virus has been detected and reported.
- Dining Services will wrap all food items individually in the Knapp Sack, as well as conduct additional disinfecting of the common surfaces in the dining hall.
- Providing a meal service system and special menu for sick students who can have a friend or roommate pick up their meals and deliver them to their residence halls until they recover.
- Posting flyers in restrooms across campus (residence halls, classrooms and administration buildings) with information on healthy habits and how to prevent the spread of germs, as well as what to do if you become sick.
Please visit www.pfeiffer.edu and click the "H1N1 Flu Information" button to get more university updates, including steps on prevention, Pfeiffer's seasonal vaccine schedule (when it becomes available), and additional resources. To find out more about preparing for the flu, go to:
http://www.flu.gov/ or call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
By working together, we can protect our campus community and enjoy a healthy and productive fall and winter season.
Pfeiffer's Student Health Services is located is located in the left wing of Stokes Student Center, Room 114, in the Wellness Center.
Hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - Noon and 1p.m. - 5 p.m. when school is in session.
Contact:
Sandy Miller, RN
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(704) 463-3425
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8 Ways You Can Stay Healthy
You can protect yourself and others by following these key action steps
 1. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise, and relaxation.
2. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
3. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes. Germs spread this way.
4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
5. Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
6. Do not use others’ phones, desks, offices, or other work or school tools and equipment. If you need to use a another’s phone, desk, or other equipment, clean it first - and after use.
7. Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home. Symptoms of the flu include:
• fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius)
• chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny
• nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. CDC recommends
• that sick workers stay home if they are sick with flu-like illness until at least 24
• hours after they are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
8. Get immunized against seasonal flu, when vaccine is available. If you are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications you should:
• receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher
• risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with
• chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes).
For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/ . For general information about prevention, symptoms and treatment, click here.
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