Charles Sturt University
Further Information
- WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response – Influenza A (H1N1)
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aging
- NSW Government Department of Health
In summary however, the University recommends that staff and students:
- Be vigilant at all times with hygiene practices, especially coughing and hand washing etiquette and appropriate disposal of used tissues;
- Monitor self for the onset of Flu like symptoms (e.g. high temperature, cough, sore throat, body aches, etc);
- Where Flu like symptoms are experienced, avoid public places and close contact with others, especially children, contact your doctor to advise them of your symptoms and arrange to attend your doctor for medical assessment;
- Contact CSU to advise of your situation, including any absence from the University; and
- As required, follow any medical management advised to you by your treating medical practitioner.
What to do if you think you have Human-Swine Influenza?
Symptoms of Human-Swine Influenza include:
- High temperature
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Running nose
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Sometimes, diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you are experiencing the above symptoms and think you have this Influenza, you should avoid public places and close contact with others, especially children. You should contact your doctor and advise them of your symptoms and arrange to attend your doctor for medical assessment.
You should also contact the University to advise of your situation. You should not attend University until you have been cleared of Swine Flu infection or have recovered.
What can you do to reduce the spread of infection?
From 27th May 2009 the Commonwealth Government will be running television commercials which advise the public on the symptoms associated with Swine Flu that people should be aware of and some strategies to avoid the spread of infection. The advertisements encourage people to seek medical advice if they are concerned about flu-like symptoms and also repeat messages about personal hygiene that have such an important impact in reducing spread of the disease.
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself, your friends and family from the flu (whether seasonal or pandemic) is to practise good personal hygiene.
This includes:
- practicing hand hygiene (washing regularly with soap and water and drying of hands),
- practicing respiratory etiquette (covering mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing), and
- disposing of used tissues appropriately.
For further information on correct hand washing and/or coughing etiquette refer to the following NSW Health Department information sheets.
- Hand washing etiquette [PDF]
- Cough etiquette [PDF]
Others ways to control the spread of infection: If you are intending to travel overseas, you should reassess the need to travel and check with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Smart Traveller web site for updated travel advice. You should also follow the instructions of local border control, law enforcement or health authorities. Furthermore, if you have visited Mexico, the United States or Canada since March, or have associated with others who have, and you are unwell with a respiratory illness (fever and cough), make arrangements to see your GP. Let them know that you have travelled to a country or region affected by swine influenza.
Where to go for further information
Charles Sturt University (CSU) will continue to monitor state, national and international developments regarding the progress of Swine Influenza and strategies for its containment. CSU will continue to update staff as developments occur.
For more information on swine influenza you can call the Commonwealth Health Hotline on 1802007 or go to the Department of Health and Ageing's website. Current information on the global response to human cases of swine influenza and measures to avoid infection are also available on the WHO's Swine Influenza website.
This website will be the University's source of official information to staff and students about global alerts.