|
|||||||||||
Current Health Alerts:
|
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
March 22, 2012 This communication is an update on pertussis (whooping cough). With a recent rise in the number of cases in New Brunswick, a province-wide outbreak of the disease has been declared. Most cases have involved children aged 9-14, but the community is reminded that pertussis can affect those of any age. Currently, there are no confirmed cases of pertussis at Mount Allison. The University is in regular contact with Public Health to monitor the situation and if the situation was to change, details would be communicated via e-mail and the web. To help reduce the spread of infection, Public Health recommends that you: • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Pertussis is a disease of the lungs and throat caused by bacteria. It starts like a cold with sneezing, a runny nose, fever and a mild cough. Within a week or two, the cough gets worse, leading to serious coughing spells that often (but not always) end with a “whoop” noise. This cough can last for up to two months and is often worse at night. Not all individuals have the whoop-sounding cough, so anyone who has a cough that lasts more than a week, without getting better, should see their health care provider. Sincerely, Ron Byrne For more information on the Pertussis (whooping cough) please visit: |
|||||||||||
|
Q: What is pertussis (whooping cough)? A: Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a disease of the lungs and throat caused by the bacteria (germ) Bordetella pertussis. Q: How is pertussis spread? A: Pertussis is spread through coughing and sneezing. It is most contagious (easy to catch) during the first two weeks of infection when symptoms resemble the common cold. An adult or teenager suffering from what appears to be a cold can actually have whooping cough. A person with whooping cough can spread it to others for up to three weeks after the onset of coughing. Q: What are the symptoms? A: Pertussis starts like a cold with sneezing, a runny nose, low-grade fever and a mild cough. During the next week or two, the cough gets worse, leading to serious coughing spells that often (but not always) end with a “whoop” noise. The coughing may be so severe that it causes the person to gag or vomit. Sometimes thick clear mucus is coughed up. This cough can last for up to two months and is often worse at night. Not all individuals have the “whoop”-sounding cough, so anyone who has a cough that lasts more than a week without getting better should see their health-care provider to determine whether they have whooping cough. Q: How long are people with whooping cough contagious? A: A person with whooping cough can spread it to others for up to three weeks after the onset of the cough. Q: How is whooping cough diagnosed? A: A health-care provider may take a swab from the back of the nose, and a blood test may be done to help confirm the diagnosis. Q: When is it okay to go back to school or work? A: Persons with whooping cough should avoid contact with others, until they have been treated with antibiotics for five days. Q: What should I do if I’m sick and living in residence? A: Anyone who has a cough that lasts more than a week or experiences Pertussis symptoms as described above should see their health-care provider, contact Tele-Care, a 24-hour dial-in bilingual service for general health inquiries, (students can access at 811 from on campus), or, in the event of an emergency, contact 911. Q: Can I go to the dining hall? A: Persons diagnosed with pertussis should avoid contact with others, until they have been treated with antibiotics for five days. The Dining Hall will prepare meals for sick students for pickup by roommates, friends or residence staff. Please phone 364-2423 or 364-2420 with at least an hour’s notice to order and give your ID card to the person picking up the meal. Q: If my roommate has pertussis, what should I do? A: You may already have been exposed. If you can, stay more than six feet from the infected person and avoid touching anything they have touched (dishes, clothes, tissues etc). Encourage use of tissues when coughing or sneezing, clean your hands often with soap and warm water or hand sanitizer, especially before you eat and before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Be sure to dispose of soiled tissues in an appropriate receptacle. If you begin to experience symptoms as described above, contact a health-care provider. Q: What services are available to students living off campus? A: Mount Allison is working to establish a network of volunteers to assist ill students who are living off campus (getting meals, supplies, checking in, etc). Please inform the Wellness Centre if you would like to have this service available and to inform them of your symptoms (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca). |
|||||||||||
|
Q: Who can I call to get an update on my son or daughter? A: If you are not able to contact a student living off-campus, contact the Student Life office at 506-364-2255 or by e-mail at studentlife@mta.ca. They will give the student a message and ask them to get in touch with you. Please note that Student Life staff cannot release information on students. Q: Should I take my son or daughter home if they are sick? A: It is not necessary to remove the student from school if they are diagnosed with pertussis. Q: What health services are available on campus and in Sackville? A: Mount Allison University has a Wellness Centre on campus with a Registered Nurse-Educator on staff and a full range of non-emergency services. You can reach the Wellness Centre at 506-364-2163 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by e-mail at wellness@mta.ca The Sackville Memorial Hospital is located within five minutes of campus. Emergency 911 service is available and there are larger health facilities in Amherst (15 minutes by car) and two in Moncton (½ hour). The province of New Brunswick also has Tele-Care, a 24-hour dial-in bilingual service for general health inquiries, which students can access at 811. Mount Allison is working to establish a network of volunteers to assist ill students who are living off campus (getting meals, supplies, checking in, etc). We have asked all students to inform the Wellness Centre if they would like to have this service available and to inform them of their symptoms (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca). |
|||||||||||
Public Health recommends the following to help reduce the spread of infection:
Public Health 506-856-3220 Mount Allison University residences (Dons’ phone numbers and e-mails) If you can not reach anyone at the above numbers, if necessary, please call 506-961-2300 or 506-364-5967. |
|||||||||||
| Back to Top | |||||||||||
| Norovirus (Norwalk) | |||||||||||
|
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis (illness that usually includes diarrhea and/or vomiting) in people. This illness—gastroenteritis—is often called stomach flu, although it is not related to the flu (or influenza) which is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Prevention • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer Please visit our web site for regular updates on campus — www.mta.ca/health There is no preventative treatment (no vaccine or antiviral medication) for noroviruses and they cannot be treated with antibiotics because antibiotics fight bacteria, not viruses. However, healthy people normally recover within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own. How do I recover from the Norovirus (Norwalk) The Public Health Agency of Canada has published a guidance document to assist people in caring for themselves if they are sick or for someone at home who is recuperating from the Noro virus. Please visit http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/norovirus-eng.php for more information. In summary, those suffering from illness should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration – a possible serious health effect of norovirus infection. The most helpful fluids for protecting against dehydration are oral rehydration fluids. These products are sold as pre-mixed fluids and are commonly found in drug stores. Other drinks that do not contain caffeine or alcohol can also help with mild dehydration; however, these drinks may not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during illness. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat and dizziness upon standing. Severe dehydration can be serious and the ill person may require re-hydration in a hospital. If you think you are dehydrated, contact your healthcare provider. How do I recover from the Norovirus (Norwalk)– Six Steps to Recovery 1. Protect yourself and others 2. Allow the ill person to rest away from others 3. Treat fever 4. Take/Give lots of fluids, nutritious food, and ensure a smoke-free environment. 5. Keep the sick person’s things separate from others and handle anything you/they may touch with care. Each ill person should have their own personal care items (facecloth, towel, etc.). Wash dishes, laundry, and towels in hot water and soap promptly. Always wash your hands following activities and avoid touching your face. Be careful when handling trash and cleaning bathrooms and common surfaces such as doorknobs, the telephone, and light switches. Remember: hand washing and/or sanitizing is a key to reducing infection. 6. Be on alert for complications. Following these instructions, most people will begin to feel better within a few days. There are sometimes complications that arise, such as dehydration, and the ill person may need to have a health assessment. The Mount Allison Wellness Centre asks that students report any such symptoms to them for medical assistance (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca), in addition to reporting their initial symptoms. Students in residence can report their symptoms to their residence don who will provide a house report daily to the Wellness Centre. The Wellness Centre requires the following information to register: name, student ID, residence accommodation, age and gender, any pre-existing health conditions, symptoms (respiratory or gastrointestinal), and your contact information. All information will be kept strictly confidential. The Centre also requests that all students with pre-existing medical conditions that may increase their risk of infection pre-register at the Centre, even if they are not sick. This includes individuals who:
While most individuals are encouraged to self-isolate until they feel better, if you have complications, particularly if you fall into one of the categories listed above, please seek medical attention through your family physician or by contacting the Sackville Memorial Hospital (364-4100). In an emergency, call 911. Contact information Mount Allison University residences (Dons’ phone numbers and e-mails) If you can not reach anyone at the above numbers, if necessary, please call 506-961-2300 or 506-364-5967. For Residence Dons: To submit information to Wellness Centre, please click here. Students living on or off campus who would like to self report, please click here to fill out an Norovirus Report. For more information on the Noro virus please visit the Public Health Agency http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/id-mi/norovirus-eng.php#s4 and the NB Public Health fact sheet on Noro virus at http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/en/CDC/FactSheets/Norovirus.pdf Noro Virus FAQ’s 1. Who can I call if I’m sick? If you are experiencing Norovirus (Norwalk) -like symptoms (which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Sometimes, people may have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. The illness often begins suddenly, about 24 to 48 hours after exposure and the infected person may become very sick with frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea), please report your condition to your residence don or RA. Follow the guidelines for prevention and recovery methods found on the web site. We are asking all students with pre-existing health conditions that could increase their risk to pre-register at the Wellness Centre, even if they are not ill by e-mailing to wellness@mta.ca If the Wellness Centre line is busy please leave a detailed message and they will get back to you as soon as possible. 2. Where should I go if I’m sick? Students who are ill will be asked to stay in their residence room until they feel better to prevent the spread of infection. Please inform your don or RA if you are ill. The Sackville Memorial Hospital is located within five minutes of campus. Emergency 911 service is available and there are larger health facilities in Amherst (15 minutes by car) and two in Moncton (½ hour). The province of New Brunswick also has Tele-Care, a 24-hour dial-in bilingual service for general health inquiries, which students can access at 811. If you are ill, please stay in your residence room until you feel better to prevent the spread of infection. The Dining Hall will prepare meals for sick students for pickup by roommates, friends or residence staff. Please phone 2423 or 2420 with at least an hour notice to order and give your ID card to the person picking up the meal. 1. Who can I call if I’m sick? If you are ill, please contact the Wellness Centre (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca) to report your condition, and follow the guidelines for prevention and recovery found on the web site. The Wellness Centre requires the following information to register: name, student ID, residence accommodation, age and gender, any pre-existing health conditions, symptoms (respiratory or gastrointestinal), and your contact information. All information will be kept confidential. Mount Allison is working to establish a network of volunteers to assist ill students who are living off campus (getting meals, supplies, checking in, etc). Please inform the Wellness Centre if you would like to have this service available and to inform them of your symptoms (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca). For immediate medical attention, please contact the Sackville Memorial Hospital, 506-364-4100 and in an emergency, call 911. 2. Where should I go if I’m sick? Students who are ill will be asked to stay home, in their apartment or house in Sackville, until they feel better to prevent the spread of infection. Please inform your roommates, friends, professors, and the Wellness Centre (by telephone, 506-364-2163 or e-mail, wellness@mta.ca) if you are ill. The Sackville Memorial Hospital is located within five minutes of campus. Emergency 911 service is available and there are larger health facilities in Amherst (15 minutes by car) and two in Moncton (0.5 hour). The province of New Brunswick also has Tele-Care, a 24-hour dial-in bilingual service for general health inquiries, which students can access at 811. Mount Allison is working to establish a network of volunteers to assist ill students who are living off campus (getting meals, supplies, checking in, etc). Please inform the Wellness Centre if you would like to have this service available and to inform them of your symptoms (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca). 1. Who can I call to get an update on my son or daughter? Residence Students If you are not able to contact your son or daughter directly, please contact their residence don. Dons’ phone numbers and e-mail addresses for each residence are listed under General Information on this page. They will be able to pass along a message to your son or daughter and ask them to get in touch with you. Please note that Residence Assistants and Dons cannot release information on students. Off-Campus Students If your son or daughter lives off-campus, and you are not able to reach them directly, you can contact the Student Life office at 506-364-2255 or by e-mail at studentlife@mta.ca. They will be able to pass along a message to your son or daughter and ask them to get in touch with you. 2. Should I take my son or daughter home if they are sick or to avoid them getting sick? We are asking that students who are ill remain in their residence in Sackville for at least 48 hours after their last symptom. This will help minimize the spread of infection and ensure a quicker recovery time. We also have health services available on campus and in Sackville that can assist students as needed. 3. What health services are available on campus and in Sackville? Mount Allison University has a Wellness Centre on campus with a Registered Nurse-Educator on staff and a full range of non-emergency services. You can reach the Wellness Centre at 506-364-2163 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by e-mail at wellness@mta.ca The Sackville Memorial Hospital is located within five minutes of campus. Emergency 911 service is available and there are larger health facilities in Amherst (15 minutes by car) and two in Moncton (½ hour). The province of New Brunswick also has Tele-Care, a 24-hour dial-in bilingual service for general health inquiries, which students can access at 811. Mount Allison is working to establish a network of volunteers to assist ill students who are living off campus (getting meals, supplies, checking in, etc). We have asked all students to inform the Wellness Centre if they would like to have this service available and to inform them of their symptoms (506-364-2163, wellness@mta.ca).
| |||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
