POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. - The flu - in all its various forms - has hit the nation with gusto this fall, and officials at Three Rivers Community College are taking a variety of steps to help stop the spread of the disease to students and staff.

"Like many other colleges and universities throughout the country, Three Rivers is seeing confirmed cases of the flu, including a handful of confirmed H1N1 cases," said Kim Shackleford, MSN, RN, CNE, and chairman of the Health and Human Services Division at the college.

"Three Rivers is committed to protecting the health and safety of students, employees and their families," Shackleford said. The symptoms of the H1N1 (swine) flu are relatively mild for most people, but we want to keep this virus - and all illness - contained. The symptoms are similar to other flu and cold illnesses. Flu symptoms can include fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, vomiting and/or diarrhea," she said.

During recent weeks, the college has taken a proactive attack on the virus. A response team is now working and includes nursing faculty and staff members from student housing, campus security, human resources, food services as well as the Vice President of Student Success. The task force is developing and implementing a preparedness and response plan to the flu outbreak.

"Three Rivers has implemented infection control policies and procedures, including the promotion of hand hygiene by placing hand sanitizer dispensers throughout campus," Shackleford said.

"We are encouraging everyone to use good hygiene practices," Shackleford said. "We are working to educate students and staff on ways to limit the spread of influenza by conducting an information campaign utilizing the college website, marquee sign and posters throughout the campus."

At this time, Shackleford said good personal hygiene practices are still the best method of prevention, since influenza is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person through the coughing or sneezing of infected people.

Among those good personal hygiene practices, Shackelford suggests individuals take these actions:

*        Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of the tissue promptly and carefully.

*         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 and mouth to help step the transmission of germs;

*         Stay home when sick to prevent the spread of illness.

Three Rivers does have a majority of students who commute to campus from throughout the region as well as student residential housing at Rivers Ridge, the college student residential facility. Shackleford said that stemming the spread of the flu is important for both segments of the student population.

"We are encouraging students and college staff to stay at home and avoid contact with others if they become ill with influenza-like symptoms," Shackleford said. "The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after a fever is gone and stays down without the help of a fever-reducing medicine. Avoid contact with other people except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events and public gatherings."

"The Task Force and college administrators will carefully monitor this rapidly evolving situation and will keep the college community updated on any new developments. The college has also developed a Web page - http://trcc.edu/medicalupdate.php - specifically about the H1N1 flu and methods to help prevent its spread. I encourage individuals to go to that page for additional information."

At Three Rivers Community College, student success is the first priority. A wide variety of academic and workforce programs are offered by Three Rivers on the main campus in Poplar Bluff, at full-service centers throughout the region and through online learning opportunities. For additional information on classes at Three Rivers visit the new College website at www.trcc.edu or call toll-free 1-877-TRY-TRCC (1-877-879-8722).