Preparedness for Pandemic Flu

MCC is committed to providing ongoing information regarding pandemic preparedness planning. The following information is intended to serve as a resource for the community.

Important Update on Novel H1N1 Flu

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization indicated that the H1N1 flu had become widespread, declaring it a pandemic. Throughout summer 2009, cases of this virus have continued to emerge, and with the advent of school season, even more cases are expected.

The virus is now in our community, but this is not a cause for alarm. Here are important guidelines you should follow to help keep yourself and others healthy.

What can you personally do to protect you and your family?

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are spread this way.
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work.
• Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. The McHenry County Department of Health follows the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate priority groups first, which include:
  • pregnant women;
  • people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age;
  • persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age;
  • healthcare and emergency medical services personnel;
  • persons ages 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?

Fever and one (or more) of the following:

• cough
• sore throat
• headache
• muscle aches
• some people have also reported vomiting and diarrhea

If you exhibit these symptoms, please contact your health care provider.

What is the absence procedure you should follow?

MCC has developed the following procedure, which applies to both students and employees who exhibit flu-like symptoms:

• Students/Employees should stay home while exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
• Students/Employees must remain at home for 24 hours after their fever is gone, without the use of fever reducing medicine.
• Students must follow the instructor's protocol for up to one week's absence (one time only) in order to make up coursework.
• Employees without available sick days must contact HR to discuss their options.

Overall, we want to prevent (or reduce) the possible transmission of the H1N1 influenza virus at MCC by avoiding close contact with those who are ill.

*Do you think you have been exposed to H1N1 flu?

• Continue to follow the preventative measures listed above.
• If you begin exhibiting severe symptoms of the virus, contact your health care provider.

*If you do not have any symptoms of the virus, there is no need to stay at home.

What is being done?

• MCC has a pandemic preparedness plan in place, and we work closely with the McHenry County Department of Health. We will continue to provide additional information as updates are available.
• McHenry County Department of Health has plans in place to detect, monitor and treat people who may become ill during a pandemic flu event.

For more information, please visit:

• http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/health/Pages/mcdhindex.aspx – McHenry County Department of Health
• www.idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu – The Illinois Department of Public Health
• www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu – The official U.S. government web site on swine flu
• www.flu.gov – The official U.S. government web site on pandemic flu and avian influenza. Information for individuals and family planning kits are available on this site
• www.who.int – The World Health Organization

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