FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 9, 2009 | 9:30 AM EDT

CARMEL, INDIANA – As the fall semester swings into action this new strain of flu is hitting campuses hard. There are reported cases of the H1N1 Flu (a.k.a. Swine Flu) at nearly one hundred colleges and universities across the country. While the Fraternity is not aware of any members directly affected the Fraternity is encouraging it’s chapters and members to be prepared this fall.

The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu) offers up to date information, advice and insight into the H1N1 Flu. Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to other flu viruses – fever, sore throat, coughing, body aches, chills, headache, and fatigue. The CDC reports that illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. People infected with H1N1 Flu may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Try to cough or sneeze into your elbow; this will help the spread of the flu.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it; don’t leave it on your desk or in your pocket.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Get a Flu shot; when available get the H1N1 Flu shot. 

Should multiple members of your chapter have flu-like symptoms; you are encouraged to take the following steps:

• Notify a college or university health official that members in your chapter house are sick; follow your campus protocol for dealing with those infected. If you don’t know what your campus protocol is, check with your Greek advisor on campus.
• Encourage members to visit the doctor or campus medical facility – do not go to the emergency room unless your symptoms get progressively worse.
• If possible, move those that are sick into the same area of the house, so that they can rest and get well.

If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)

MEDIA CONTACT:
Gordy Heminger, President and Chief Executive Officer
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it | (317) 843-1911 ext. 237

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Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc. was founded at Yale University in 1845, and currently recognizes 68 chapters, colonies, and interest groups across the country. The Fraternity aims to be the co-curricular organization of choice for discerning young men through the provision of an enriching brotherhood experience and a full range of character and leadership development opportunities. The national headquarters of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity is located in Carmel, Indiana.