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吃瓜大本营 Your Part to Stop the Spread

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Author(s)

Therese Mashak

Public Health Project Manager

Announcement  •
Campus Life  •

Dear 吃瓜大本营 Community,

Welcome back!听We hope you enjoyed your 产谤别补办.听During this time, many of you听traveled, visited with friends and family, and听participated in听various celebrations, which may have听led听to exposure to a variety of viruses.听As we begin the quarter and come听together听in enclosed spaces,听it is easy for germs to spread. This time of听year,听we typically see an increase in听cases of flu, COVID,听common colds, and norovirus.听

While听medicines听may mitigate symptoms听for some of these听illnesses,听viruses like norovirus听do not respond to听medications and analgesics. Norovirus is a common illness that听spreads听easily听through听direct contact with infected individuals as well as through contaminated听food, water, and surfaces.听Symptoms of norovirus, sometimes referred to as the 鈥渟tomach flu鈥 or a 鈥渟tomach bug,鈥澨齣nclude听nausea, vomiting,听and听diarrhea听so staying hydrated is very important.听

Here听are some听prevention听methods听to help听stop the spread of viruses and reduce the chances of becoming ill.听

  • Stay up to date on your COVID and flu vaccinations.
  • Wash your hands听carefully听with soap and听water听especially after using the bathroom,听and always before eating, preparing, or handling food.听Alcohol-based听hand sanitizer alone听is not sufficient听to kill听all viruses, including norovirus.
  • Stay hydrated. If you experience symptoms of norovirus, take听small frequent sips of water or other electrolyte-based fluids like Pedialyte or Gatorade.听
  • Avoid contact with others when you are sick.听Continue these precautions for 2-3 days after you are feeling better听as the virus is still around.
  • Wash contaminated laundry thoroughly on the longest wash cycle and then machine dry them.
  • Wash fruits and听vegetables and听cook food听thoroughly.
  • Clean and听disinfect听contaminated surfaces.听Noroviruses are resistant to many commonly used disinfectants. If听Norovirus is suspected,听听(1/3 cup 鈥 1.5 cups听of household bleach per gallon of water).

These simple steps can help you avoid getting sick and help prevent the spread of these听viruses.

For students听with听special circumstances that might require medical attention (dehydration, fever, severe abdominal pain, ongoing symptoms)听please contact the Health and Counseling Center with any questions. You can听leave a听secure message via听听or call 303.871.2205. Please听contact听the Health and Counseling Center听by phone rather than coming in person if you are experiencing symptoms.听

Employees听requiring medical attention, please contact your healthcare provider.

Remember, the best way听to help prevent听norovirus听and other communicable illnesses听is to practice proper hand washing and general cleanliness.听For more information, visit听.


Sincerely,

Michael LaFarr
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Health &听Wellness
吃瓜大本营 Health & Counseling Center

Therese Mashak
Public Health Project Manager
Enterprise Risk Management