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Preventative Measures

EMU’s health center will provide an immunization clinic on Move-In Day, so incoming freshmen can receive any needed vaccinations, such as meningitis, Tdap (tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis) or seasonal flu.

What can I do to avoid getting sick?

The State of Michigan Department of Community Health recommends the following:

  • Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
  • Persons with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school;
  • Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or who appear ill;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spreading of germs
  • People experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as coughing, fever, fatigue, sore throat, chills, a headache, body aches along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

Are facemasks effective?

It is not necessary for the general public to use facemasks.

Does hand sanitizer help protect you against the swine flu?

Yes, hand sanitizer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is one of the ways you can help protect yourself from swine flu. Specific CDC recommendations include keeping your hands clean by washing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water may not be available.

Other preventative measures EMU provides include:

  • Hosting informational meetings for students living on campus and educating residence hall advisers who work closely with students;
  • Establishing EMU’s health services department as a countywide host site for administering the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available in October. The number of vials of vaccine needed on campus and the cost for administering the vaccine aren't known at this time;
  • Offering a 24-hour "Ask a Nurse" hotline;
  • Providing boxed lunches and flu care kits for ill students;
  • Assigning flu buddies to help students who are ill;
  • Establishing a team of health and safety personnel that can quickly respond if a swine flu case develops on campus.
  • Parents of first-year students, ages 24 or younger, received a letter outlining medical services, including information about available vaccines, offered by University Health Services.

Where can I find further information?

For more information, contact University Health Services at 734.487.1122 or visit www.cdc.gov/swineflu.