General information

The College is doing everything possible to minimise the spread of swine flu, including:

• Regular meetings to develop procedures to minimise disruption.
• Ensuring a plentiful supply of soap and hot water in all washrooms at all campuses
• Placing signs in all washrooms reminding staff and students to wash their hands.
• Supplying disinfectant wipes for all computer rooms and encouraging staff and students to clean keyboards and telephones before use.
• Instructing cleaning staff to ensure hard surfaces such as door handles, handrails, lift buttons and work surfaces are cleaned daily with an appropriate cleaning solution.

If you are a student and think you have swine flu, read on for help.

How will I know if I have swine flu?

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of human seasonal flu and include fever, fatigue, lack of appetite, coughing and sore throat (Some people with swine flu have also reported vomiting, diarrhoea and aches and pains in their limbs).

The symptoms of swine flu are broadly the same as those of ordinary flu, but may be more severe and cause more serious complications.

The typical symptoms are:

• sudden fever, and
• sudden cough.

Other symptoms may include:

• headache,
• tiredness, 
• chills,
• aching muscles,
• limb or joint pain,
• diarrhoea or stomach upset,
• sore throat,
• runny nose,
• sneezing, and
• loss of appetite.

What should I do if I have flu like symptoms?

If you have flu-like symptoms as described above

• Stay at home
• Check your symptoms if possible
• Call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513 to hear the latest advice

If you are still concerned, call your GP or NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647.

Do not go into your GP surgery, or to a hospital, as you may spread the disease to others. Ask a friend to collect any medication for you.

You should also contact the college on 20250250 (if you do not have your tutor's phone number) and leave a message on the absence line stating that you are ill with flu like symptoms,.

You should stay away from college until the virus has run its course (no longer suffering from the symptoms described) between 5 and 7 days. 

Will my EMA grant be affected if I am off with swine flu?

Students who are claiming EMA need to attend all lessons on their timetable to get their EMA paid for that week.  Absences for swine flu will be treated the same as other absences.  As it is unlikely that you can get a doctors certificate if you are absent with swine flu, your EMA will not be paid unless you apply for an authorised absence.  Authorised Absence forms can be collected from Student Services.

The Authorised Absence form needs to be completed, signed by the Tutor and returned to Student Services with the relevant evidence for the EMA payment to be made. 

What should I do if a member of my family has swine flu?

Any person who has suspected or been confirmed as having swine flu is being asked to stay at home. The virus is highly contagious and is spread by droplets released during coughing or sneezing or left on surfaces, such as door handles, flush handles, keyboards, work surfaces etc, or when an affected person coughs or sneezes into their hand and then touches such surfaces. If you have children who are affected you may have to stay at home and look after them, but if it is another member of your family and you are not showing any symptoms there is no reason why you shouldn't come to college.

Will the college close for a period of time if a number of staff and students contract swine flu?

The college will remain open and run as normal a service as is practical throughout any pandemic.

Can I wear a mask to college?

No, there is no firm evidence to suggest that wearing a face mask offers enhanced protection. Any student member who arrives at college wearing a face mask will be requested to remove it whilst attending college.

How will I find out more information about swine flu arrangements?

Information will be posted on the college intranet and updated as and when changes occur. Some information for students will also be posted here on the college website. During term times any immediate changes will be notified via the e mail and electronic notice board.