H1N1 Influenza symptoms are similar to those of seasonal influenza - fever and/or cough and one or more of: unusual tiredness, head, muscle or joint aches, or sore throat. H1N1 Influenza is mostly a mild, self-limiting illness but in some cases it can be severe. The groups most at risk from the H1N1 virus are those who are pregnant; have a compromised immune system or other underlying medical conditions.

We are asking employees and students to stay home while you have flu symptoms. H1N1 Influenza symptoms are similar to those for seasonal influenza - including fever and/or cough and one or more of: unusual tiredness, head, muscle or joint aches, or sore throat. Medical advice is to stay at home until you are symptom free for at least 24 hours, feeling well and able to resume normal day-to-day activities. Please call the college every day while you are sick and let staff know that you will not be in class and also indicate if you may require assistance. Class absences due to suspected H1N1 will be considered an excused absence and students will be expected to catch up on missed assignments.

If you have no symptoms, public health authorities advise you can continue your normal routine - including work and social activities. Of course you should continue personal prevention practices around hand washing and cleaning surfaces more frequently. Naturally, parents of ill children should practice due care to ensure the well-being of their children.

Employees or students who have chronic health conditions should be talking to their health care provider now to get advice on what they should do during an outbreak of H1N1 Influenza - and plan accordingly.

Aurora College has identified the following practices to protect the safety and well-being of Aurora College staff and students: adopting enhanced cleaning protocols; providing hand sanitizing stations for staff and students; providing public health advice to staff and students on flu prevention; communicating with territorial and national public health agencies for guidance and up-to-date information on H1N1 influenza and sharing this information with both staff and students.

Our primary goals are protection and prevention, in order to keep the flu virus from spreading - so we will be asking employees and students to go home or stay home if they have flu symptoms.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has issued new advice as of August 20th. Those with H1N1 Influenza symptoms will no longer have to stay at home for seven days. You are being advised to stay home and minimize contact with others until you are symptom-free, feeling well and able to resume normal day-to-day activities. You need to be fever free for at least 24 hours before you return to work or school.

Facilities Management will be focusing custodial efforts on "High Touch" cleaning during peak hours of operation. This activity focuses on cleaning frequently touched surfaces such as hand rails, door knobs, washroom faucets and similar surfaces. Even with these supplemental actions, remember your personal responsibility to wash your hands frequently.

Aurora College is taking a proactive approach by mounting waterless hand sanitizers in high traffic areas and many public spaces, making them very accessible. We currently do not anticipate mounting these outside of each classroom. Remember, these items will not replace washing hands with soap and water which remains the best practice.