Unfortunately, the world and not just Tyndale are confronted with the challenges of the H1N1 influenza virus this fall. As a community, we want to do all we can to minimize the impact on our students. In a very small campus we have on going need to be as vigilant as possible. Commentators have called universities the "perfect storm" for fast spreading viruses of any form. Institutionally, our cleaning crew is giving special attention to handrails, elevator buttons, surface areas, light switches etc. We will also provide a flu vaccination clinic once vaccine is available. But the best avenue of prevention is each individual student. We want to encourage you to practice thoughtful conduct and health habits for the benefit of all. Accordingly, we recommend the following health and safety measures:

Practice good hand hygiene: Frequent hand washing and use of the alcohol based sanitizers located throughout the school are recommended. Also avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. Learn to cough into your upper sleeve rather than the common habit of coughing into your hand. Limit the sharing of pens and pencils. Encourage one another in these habits.

Use tissues only once and then dispose of them. Do not stuff into your pocket or purse to reuse. This year be extravagant with one time usage. (And no handkerchiefs please as these become breeding grounds for viruses).

If you are sick, stay home or in your dorm room. It is not good for you or for others for you to come to school if you are ill. If you are a residential student, you need to self isolate yourself in your room, inform your roommate and RA. The Student Handbook states that anyone with a contagious disease needs to go home to recuperate. When this is not possible please work with your RA to make sure you are properly isolated. Meals will be brought to you. Do not go to the lounges, cafeteria, muffin shop, library, computer room or classes. Be sure to drink lots of water/ liquids. This is very important and will help your recovery.

Only return to classes and the general campus community after you no longer have symptoms and your temperature remains below 100 degrees for 24 hours without using fever-lowering medications. So far Tyndale has not experienced a flu outbreak. Other universities are reporting that most absences due to H1N1 flu are between 3 to 5 days in duration.

Always contact your appropriate (University or Seminary) Dean of Students if you are missing class. This will enable them to advocate for you with your professors. Please keep the Department of Student Life informed if you believe you have the flu. This will help us to monitor and assess the numbers of students who are ill.

If there is any significant outbreak of H1N1 flu at Tyndale, we will immediately post updates and communication in a variety of ways. Please check your student mytyndale.ca email account and the general Tyndale website. Notification of the Tyndale flu clinic will be sent once the vaccine is available.

Many websites are available with information about H1N1. A basic summary from The Center of Disease Control (CDC) lists symptoms which may include: A fever of 100.4 F / 38.0C or greater, plus a cough or sore throat. Other possible symptoms include runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, vomiting or diarrhea. In most cases this is a fairly mild flu.