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See the latest text from Dr. Lawrence, who says that the H1N1 vaccine should be here in about a week.  We have also hit 64 cases so far!  Woo! Full text after the jump.

To:     The Rensselaer Community
From:   Leslie Lawrence, M.D.
Medical Director, Student Health Center,
Re:     H1N1 Update
Date:   October 14, 2009

As of October 13, we have experienced 64 cases of influenza among
students on the Troy campus. Some 47 students have active cases of the
illness. Of those, 16 are in isolation rooms and 31 are recuperating at
home with their families. The remaining 17 students are fully recovered.
In addition, several faculty and staff members have reported
influenza-like illnesses.

We have been expecting an increase in the number and rate of cases,
based on our knowledge of the illness, and we have reached the point
where the five exam rooms in the Student Health Center are not able to
handle the larger number of students seeking treatment. We therefore are
moving forward to open a planned Auxiliary Health Center in the
auditorium of Academy Hall. The larger auditorium is on the third floor
of the building right across from the Health Center. This will help us
to quickly diagnose and treat ill students. All classes and events
previously scheduled in the Academy Hall auditorium are in the process
of being relocated. Rensselaer Union staff are reaching out to faculty
and event coordinators impacted directly to provide details on the
change.

There has been much conversation around the Capital Region about the
number of cases of flu on college campuses. The illness is very
widespread in the region, and tracking of cases varies widely among
universities. At Rensselaer, we will continue to closely track our
number of cases and to share this information and facts on how to
prevent the illness with the community. We feel this sharing of the
facts is the best way members of our community can continue to protect
themselves from becoming ill. In addition, we will continue to encourage
ill students to come to our Student Health Center for personal care and
remain at home or in an isolation residence room for care as they
recover.

We have no new information on the H1N1 vaccine, but still we expect it
within one week, based on previous conversations.

This vaccine was made exactly the same way the seasonal influenza
vaccine has been made for more than 30 years, so we expect it to be as
effective, and with as few side effects, as the seasonal flu
vaccine. There have been several large studies completed on the H1N1
vaccine and to date, and as we anticipated, there have been no
significant side effects.

Students should continue to contact the Student Health Center if they are
experiencing flu-like symptoms. As always, your best protections against
the flu include:

* Washing your hands often, especially after shaking hands with others
(hand disinfectants may be used if there is no access to soap and
water);

* Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;

* Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing;

* Covering your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow if you do
not have a tissue;

* Not touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, especially after contact
with others; and

* Keeping a three-foot [one-meter] distance between yourself and
anyone who is ill.

Please take care.

Leslie Lawrence, M.D.
Medical Director, Student Health Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

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