From: Richard C Trietley <rctrietley@viterbo.edu>
Date: Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 8:38 AM
Subject: Important Health Services Information

Viterbo Students,

Please see below for important information from our Director of Health Services, Sue Danielson, regarding the Novel Coronavirus and seasonal influenza.  If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact health services via email at scdanielson@viterbo.edu, phone at 796-3806, or stop by the Student Development Center for a personal visit.

Go VHawks!                                                                                                                          

RCT

Dear Students:

As you may be hearing on the news, a new virus has been causing illness in the Wuhan province of China and has now spread to other countries.  Five cases have been identified in the U.S. and 110 people are being evaluated at this time.  The virus causing this illness is Novel Coronavirus 2019.  This virus is spread like many other respiratory illnesses through coughing and sneezing.

Flu symptoms may include:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills – not all flu cases get a fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

You may be able to spread flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. The time from when a person is exposed and infected with flu to when symptoms begin is about 2 days, but can range from about 1 to 4 days.  People with flu are most contagious in the first 3-4 days after their illness begins.  Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick.

Preventing Seasonal Flu

The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death. Health Services continues to have flu vaccine available with a cost of $7 for students.   It is also recommended that you use everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent handwashing) to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat, and lungs) illnesses.  Stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours.  Drink plenty of fluids and rest. 

If you would like further information, please contact Health Services at 796-3806 or scdanielson@viterbo.edu

Rick Trietley
Vice President for Student Affairs
Viterbo University
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
608-796-3801 (W)
608-796-3803 (FAX)