Emergency Information

Swine Flu (swine influenza A (H1N1)) Information

Cases of H1N1 have been confirmed on campus and in Watauga County, although these case have been relatively mild. Following is some information concerning H1N1 that may be helpful to you if you or someone you know has developed influenza-like symptoms such as a fever with coughing, body aches, headache, sore throat or diarrhea.

H1N1 Vaccine Update (November 6, 2009)

Student Health Services has received a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is being given at no charge only to Appalachian students during immunization clinic hours: weekdays from  8-11:30am and 12:30-3:30pm, except Wednesdays when Student Health Service opens at 9am. Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis.

The H1N1 live vaccine (nasal spray) will be administered to students who have no underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, HIV, or other chronic lung, heart, or kidney disease.

The killed vaccine (injection) will be given only to those who have underlying medical conditions listed above.  Those students will be given first access to the killed vaccine since they cannot take the live vaccine.

Please note that since it is funded entirely by student fees, services at Student Health Service are not available to faculty or staff. Faculty and staff should contact their regular healthcare providers about receiving the H1N1 vaccine but also be aware that supplies of the vaccine remain limited throughout the medical community at this time.

Students seeking more information about Student Health Service's immunization clinic should visit http://healthservices.appstate.edu.

Who needs to be seen?

• Individuals with high fevers or severe cough
• Individuals with a chronic health issue such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or taking certain immune system suppressing medicines
• Individuals who have frequent vomiting who may be dehydrated

Other points

• There is no recommendation for healthy people to take preventative medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza. Those medications will be used for carefully selected cases.
• Most individuals will do well being isolated at home and treating their symptoms with rest, fluids, Tylenol and cough medications.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following recommendations for those living or working on a college campus:

  "Students, faculty or staff who live either on or off campus and who have an [influenza-like illness] should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) in their dorm room or home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). They should keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick."

Learn more

Training Available:
"Responding to an Active Shooter"

The Appalachian State University Police Department is offering training to departments on how to respond to an "active shooter" in the workplace or on campus. This training is approximately 60 - 90 minutes with response techniques and Q & A. This training will help you get in the right mindset if you are ever confronted with an active shooter. Learn more