UNews - RN/manager

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ braces as H1N1 cases spike

trevor.kenney — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:04:10 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is not immune to the spread of the H1N1 Influenza virus and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ officials are asking students, staff and faculty to step up their efforts in halting the rapid movement of this illness.

In recent days, there has been a substantial increase in H1N1 Influenza cases and suspected cases in the Lethbridge area. This increased activity has been most apparent in schools and has begun to filter into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge community with a spike in the number of persons signed into the Illness Registry.

"We've seen increased activity in local schools and that has started to show up here as well," says Lori Weber, RN/manager of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre. "We are connected to the community, many of our staff and faculty have children in the school system so there is an increased risk of exposure to the virus. Now is not the time to be complacent about the practices we've been preaching, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth frequently.
"This is a real threat and it is on our doorstep."

It is extremely important to be vigilant in practicing protocols that stem the spread of the H1N1 virus, especially as it begins to affect a larger segment of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ population. Washing your hands and sanitizing your work areas are essential practices. Inform yourself about how to best avoid contracting H1N1 Influenza by visiting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's dedicated website at www.uleth.ca/ross/health_centre/h1n1.

Should you come down with flu-like symptoms, log into the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Illness Registry by following the Got Flu icon on the H1N1 Influenza website and stay home.

Flu shots only available at mass venues

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:59:53 +0000

Seasonal flu shots have now been made available by Alberta Health Services. However, because of changes initiated by Alberta Health Services, shots will only be administered at community mass venues and will not be available on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge campus.

"They are usually available through the Health Centre at this time of year," RN/Manager, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre, Lori Weber, says. "We have received word that Alberta Health Services has made changes to the delivery of seasonal flu vaccines and they are asking that public health mass venues be used to access seasonal flu shots."

For those wishing to obtain seasonal flu shots, the following dates and locations for these public health mass venues are listed below.

"We'd like to apologize to those in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community who have been waiting for our typical on-campus vaccination clinics," Weber says. "However, we are following the guidelines as laid out by Alberta Health Services."

Public Health Mass Venues

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009

PICTURE BUTTE – Picture Butte Community/Seniors Hall, 607 Hwy Ave., Picture Butte, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

CROWSNEST PASS – Provincial Building Conference Room, 12501 20 Ave., Blairmore, AB – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

RAYMOND – Raymond Seniors Centre, 55E 100 St. N. Raymond, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

PINCHER CREEK – Town Hall Gym, 962 St. John Ave., Pincher Creek, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

MILK RIVER – Heritage Hall, 213 Main St., Milk River, AB – 1 to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

COALDALE – Coaldale Community Centre, 1217 20 Ave., Coaldale, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

LETHBRIDGE – West Pavilion, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401- Parkside Drive. Lethbridge, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

CROWSNEST PASS – Provincial Building Conference Room, 12501 20 Ave., Blairmore, AB – 1 to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

CARDSTON – Cardston Senior Centre, 260 1 St. West, Cardston, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

LETHBRIDGE – West Pavilion, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401- Parkside Drive. Lethbridge, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

LETHBRIDGE – West Pavilion, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401- Parkside Drive. Lethbridge, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

TABER – Taber Civic Center, 4820 50 St., Taber, AB – 1 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009

PINCHER CREEK – Town Hall Gym, 962 St. John Ave., Pincher Creek, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

VAUXHALL – Vauxhall Community Hall, 417 4th St. N., Vauxhall, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

TABER – Taber Civic Center, 4820 50 St., Taber, AB – 1 to 7 p.m.

MAGRATH – Garden City Seniors Center, 32 N 1 St W, Magrath, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009

COALDALE – Coaldale Community Centre, 1217 20 Ave., Coaldale, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

RAYMOND – Raymond Seniors Centre, 55E 100 St. N. Raymond, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

LETHBRIDGE – West Pavilion, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401- Parkside Drive. Lethbridge, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

LETHBRIDGE – West Pavilion, Lethbridge Exhibition Park, 3401- Parkside Drive. Lethbridge, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

FORT MACLEOD – Fort Macleod Community Hall, 310 25 St.. Fort Macleod, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

WARNER – Seniors Drop In Centre, 103 3 Ave. Warner, AB – 1 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

CARDSTON – Cardston Senior Centre, 260 1 St. West, Cardston, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

TABER – Taber Civic Centre, 4820 50 St. Taber, AB – 1 to 7 p.m.

CROWSNEST PASS – Provincial Building Conference Room, 12501 20 Ave., Blairmore, AB – 1 to 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

PICTURE BUTTE – Picture Butte Community/Seniors Hall, 607 Hwy Ave., Picture Butte, AB – 1 to 6 p.m.

PINCHER CREEK – Town Hall Gym, 962 St. John Ave., Pincher Creek, AB – Noon to 6 p.m.

TABER – Taber Hospital, 4326 50 Ave. Taber, AB – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Heed the H1N1 warnings and stay healthy

trevor.kenney — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:40:32 +0000

Influenza A H1N1 is no joke and it's time to be vigilant about protecting yourself from this potentially deadly virus.

It has been several months since the world was alerted to the possible H1N1 pandemic and over time, many people have become desensitized to the seriousness of this illness. Constant media attention, coupled with the onset of summer and a natural decline in flu cases, has given people a false sense of security and many now shut off when they hear new warnings of what may become of this virus as fall approaches.

Now is not the time to let down your guard. Flu season is fast approaching and indications from the World Health Organization are that H1N1 will not only come back, but will reappear much stronger than it was previously.

It is important we here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge heed these warnings and do all we can to limit our exposure to the H1N1 virus and should we become ill, follow the proper procedures to treat the virus and limit its spread.

"It is easy to become complacent over the summer months," RN/Manager, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre, Lori Weber, says. "There has been a lot of media attention and multiple warnings about a possible H1N1 pandemic but because we haven't really seen evidence of it here in southern Alberta, people tend to shrug it off. We can't afford to have that attitude."

As the fall semester begins, so does the onset of flu season and H1N1 is poised to make a comeback.

"We are a very tight community here and at any time, we can have up to 10,000 people on campus," Weber says. "Those are perfect conditions for the spreading of germs so we have to do all we can to limit our risks."

If you feel you are getting sick, please check the website (www.uleth.ca/ross/health_centre/h1n1) for information or call the Health Centre at 403-329-2484. It is very important for us to speak with you before your arrival.

"If you feel as though you are getting sick, please call us before you come down to the Health Centre," Weber says. "It is very important we are prepared for your arrival so that we can limit your exposure to other people at the Health Centre."

GET THE FACTS

Following these basic steps can protect your health.

1) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If no tissue is available, try to sneeze into clothing or the crook of your elbow.

2) Throw tissues carefully in the trash. Avoid public spitting of mucous and respiratory secretions.

3) Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If your hands are not obviously soiled, hand sanitizer is a good second choice to clean hands.

4) Try to avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth frequently. Your hands may have touched something recently and germs spread quickly in the moist tissues of the face.

5) Perform extra cleaning of common surfaces at home or at school. Having cleansing wipes or hand sanitizer on hand is a good idea.

6) Prepare to stay home for a week or so should you become ill.

7) If you are sick with a flu-like illness, stay at home for at least 48 hours after your fever has subsided (except if you are in need of medical care). Try to protect the people you live with by staying separate from them, wearing a mask or extra cleaning.

8) For more information, see the following websites: www.albertahealthservices.ca; www.cdc.gov; www.fightflu.ca; www.publichealth.gc.ca

If you feel the flu, take proper steps

trevor.kenney — Thu, 14 May 2009 15:17:52 +0000

With all this talk about H1N1 virus, did you ever wonder what it would be like to actually be ill with the virus and what would happen if you did get ill?

If you have recently been to Mexico or have been around someone who has, the virus comes into your body without you being aware prompting the
immune system to begins to try and recognize the virus. Without antibody recognition, your body eventually loses the battle to eliminate the virus and three or so days after contact, your body begins to let you know that it has had a viral attack.

Typically, influenza causes the body/muscles to ache and you feel weak and tired. You may experience headaches, followed by fever, coughing, sneezing and a runny nose. Some people experience nausea and diarrhea as the viral can also replicate in the bowel. Influenza symptoms can lead to 3 to 10 days of feeling ill or, especially if you have other health problems or the influenza type is very virulent, you can have more troubles with coughing and breathing problems.

Because of the extensive media coverage of Influenza A H1N1, people may suspect they have this particular virus and would call Health Link at their toll-Free number, 1-866-408-5465. They may ask you to call a physician clinic or go to Emergency, depending on your symptoms.

If you call the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre at 403-329-2484, you will be greeted by one of the Health Centre staff. You would explain that Health Link has asked you to call and they would let you know your appointment time and ask you not to enter the Health Centre Clinic directly.

When you show up, if you do not have a N-95 mask, one will be provided to you. You will be asked to wait in a separate room from the usual reception area. A doctor will come into the separate room dressed in a yellow gown with gloves, mask and goggles. An assessment will then be done, including temperature, discussion of symptoms, physical examination and a nasopharyngeal swab (nasal swab to find out if this virus is H1N1). I'll be honest, the swab goes up the nose and it can hurt.

Depending on the results of the assessment, the doctor may send you home or they may send you to hospital if your symptoms are severe. Anti-viral medications may be ordered but not antibiotics (as those medications do not work on viruses). You will be asked to stay at home for seven days following the onset of the illness. If you are ill longer than seven days after illness onset, they will ask you to stay at home until you are well, as you may be contagious longer than someone who is getting well quicker.

If you are ill at home, you should be in a separate, well-ventilated room. Cover your coughs and clean your hands often. A good household disinfectant should be used to clean surfaces and everyone in the home should be cleaning their hands regularly. As well, all items that are in common should be thoroughly cleaned with warm soapy water (dishes, bed linens, bathrooms, clothing etc).

Your caregivers should wear a mask outside of the home to keep from spreading the illness in case they are in the early stages of infection. You would, of course, wear a mask when outside your room and around your family. Masks can be bought at pharmacies, hardware stores etc.

Patients should also avoid being around pregnant women as they are at increased risk of influenza-related complications and may have less immunity while pregnant.

Generally, after seven days from the onset of illness, if you begin to feel better, you can make judgments about when to return to your daily activities.

It might be time to investigate/decide whether or not you and your family will get a flu shot this upcoming October/November!

Lori Weber - RN/Manager - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre

Parents can help their students mature

trevor.kenney — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:15:29 +0000

In September, your child came to attend the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Now it is February . . . is your child making the journey to becoming an adult? What are the top three things every parent of a student in university needs to know?

As the U of L Health Centre manager the past 11 years, I believe a parent's interest in their child's life is key, but they must try to avoid intrusiveness or control.

I believe love can be shown at this stage of their child's life by parents providing support in developing competency in an evolving relationship that focuses on life choices, the growing adult role in decision-making and responsibility/involvement in campus life.

First of all, parents can focus on a student's personal development and their need to examine major and minor life choices. In conversations with your child, keep the emphasis on choices and methods of achieving competence in academic and non-academic areas. Encourage them to ask for help and ask whom they have contacted in terms of getting assistance from campus support mechanisms. These include the following:

• Advisors from their Faculty
• Counselling Services
• Health Centre (physicians, nurses, psychiatrist, dietitian, chiropractor, massage therapy and basic health insurance questions)
• Disability office
• Housing office
• Career and Employment Services
• Professors (do you know they have office hours available to students to discuss academic issues?) and/or the Registrar's Office or deans of the faculty.

Secondly, focus on their "growing adult role" in decision-making – in both their academic life as well as non-academic situations that could affect their academic life. For example, issues such as money management can greatly affect a student's ability to learn and study.

Discuss the choices in front of them, the consequences of various actions and even inaction. Encourage problem-solving skills for their life issues. Methods to encourage students include talking about:

- Smart money management (without trying to control)
- Risk and safety services and the Security Office (Did you know there is a Safewalk Program? Do you know the emergency number to call Security for first aid or any emergency on an in-house phone?)

• What to do if not sober and needing a ride home
• Their opinion on alcohol and other drugs
• The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's fitness facilities and if they are physically active
• The importance of yearly physicals and physician care if they are ill
• The importance of career counselling to ensure they are studying that which will give them personal and future employment success

Thirdly, assist your student to claim responsibility for their actions, thereby understanding that their actions affect others. Try not to "fix" things for students but encourage personal responsibility, requesting help when needed and finding a sense of belonging through positive campus involvement.

Students are responsible for such issues as behavioural choices, following academic rules, personal integrity, developing healthy study, eating and sleep habits, seeking academic assistance and becoming an active, integral, positive member of the campus community. Personal responsibility is an important element of adult life.

I hope you enjoy seeing your child turn into a remarkable, amazing, energetic, caring and competent adult!

Lori Weber - RN/Manager - ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Health Centre (With thanks to "A New Chapter, how parents fit into their student's lives at college" by Paperclip Communications)

UNews - RN/manager

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ braces as H1N1 cases spike

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