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H1N1 Information

Click here to read the CDC’s influenza-like illness recommendations and guidelines.

Following is a summary of CDC recommendations regarding prevention and treatment of flu-like illnesses (including H1N1) along with some specifics of how to handle flu-like illness as a member of the Reed community.

Symptoms of Flu-like Illness

The symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and it will be very hard to tell if someone who is sick has H1N1 or seasonal flu. Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should err on the side of caution, stay home, and not go to work. Symptoms of influenza, including H1N1, include:

• fever
• cough, sneezing, runny nose, congestion
• sore throat
• body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
• diarrhea and vomiting (in some instances)

High-Risk Groups

People at high risk for flu complications who become ill with flu-like illness should speak with their health care provider as soon as possible. Early treatment with antiviral medication often can prevent hospitalizations and deaths.

Groups that are at higher risk of complications from flu if they get sick include:

• adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic (including seizures), neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes);
• adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications, health conditions, or HIV);
• adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection; and pregnant women.

This is not an exhaustive list. If you have questions about your personal health status or condition, please call your provider or the HCC.

Medical Treatment for Routine Flu-like Illness

For those people who do not fall into a high-risk group, there are a number of precautionary and treatment measures you should take if you become ill with flu-like symptoms.

Self-isolation is when sick people stay home and away from other people when they have a fever (100º F or 38º C) or signs of a fever (chills, feeling very warm, flushed appearance, or sweating). During the period of self-isolation, sick people should limit contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others. If close contact cannot be avoided, sick people should wear a surgical mask (provided by HAs, RDs or the HCC) when they are around other others, if they can tolerate it.

Given the current concerns about H1N1, the CDC recommends that people who are sick stay home and away from others until they have been fever-free and without signs of fever for at least twenty-four hours. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Should this recommendation change, updated information will be posted to this website. (For more information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/exclusion.htm.)

Students with private rooms should remain in their room and receive care and meals from one designated person. Students can establish a “flu buddy scheme” in which they pair up to care for each other if one or the other becomes ill. Additionally, staff should make daily contact by e-mail, phone calls, or other methods with any student who is in self-isolation.

If you have a sick roommate, limit your contact with him or her and try to maintain a distance of six feet. If close contact cannot be avoided, your sick roommate should wear a surgical mask (provided by the HA, RD, or HCC), if tolerable, when he or she is around you and other people. Examples of close contact include kissing, sharing eating or drinking utensils, or having any other contact between persons likely to result in exposure to respiratory droplets.

Clean commonly-touched surfaces frequently. Use standard cleaning agents to routinely clean surfaces and items that people touch with their hands. Additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is not necessary or recommended.

Students in dorms should be particularly cautious to not spread the virus (via sneezing, coughing, or touching) to dormies in common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and common areas. If you are ill, “Meals to go” will be provided to you at your room via your HA. Flu kits containing masks, thermometers, sanitizing hand wipes, Kleenex, etc., will also be provided by the HCC and Res Life staff.

Fever-reducing medications contain acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin). People who are sick with flu can take these medications to help bring their fever down and relieve their pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age who have flu as it can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

Rest and hydration are key to comfort and speedy recovery.

When Emergency Treatment Is Needed

When ill with flu-like sickness, the presence of certain symptoms may warrant a 911 call or trip to the emergency room.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• fast breathing or trouble breathing
• bluish or gray skin color
• not drinking enough fluids
• severe or persistent vomiting
• not waking up or not interacting
• being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adolescents and adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• sudden dizziness
• confusion
• severe or persistent vomiting
• flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Academic and Work Issues

Do not attend classes or come to work when you are ill. Faculty members and supervisors are aware of this recommendation and understand the importance of staying home under such conditions.

Prevention and Wellness Strategies

Here are four important ways faculty, students, and staff can stay healthy and keep from getting sick with flu or spreading the flu.

1. Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
2. Practice respiratory etiquette. The main way flu spreads is from person to person in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it’s important to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. If you don’t have a tissue, you should cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.
3. Stay home if you are sick. Stay home or in your dorm for at least twenty-four hours after you no longer have a fever.
4. Talk to your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated. Students, faculty, and staff who want protection are encouraged to get vaccinated for seasonal flu. In addition, students, faculty, and staff who are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

All members of the Reed community should take personal responsibility to help slow the spread of the flu virus. By practicing these steps, we can keep from getting sick from flu and help protect others from getting the flu.

In addition, maintaining a strong immune system will help to keep you healthy.

• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat regularly and pay attention to good nutrition.
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids; it’s important to stay hydrated.
• Exercise in moderation.

Flu Shots

Seasonal flu vaccines will be offered at the following dates and times. Location is TBA and will be posted as soon as possible. As usual, the president’s office will cover the full cost of seasonal flu vaccine for students, faculty, and staff.

• October 15, 2009, 2–6 p.m. in GCC-D

The Reed community will be notified when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available. Costs, if any, for the H1N1 vaccine have yet to be determined.

Helpful Links

Centers for Disease Control

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/