Health Advisory

Advisory Update Flu.gov Flu Information & Prevention Vaccination

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs
August 2010

H1N1 FLU UPDATE

• HNU is pursuing education, prevention and treatment to respond to the threats posed by H1N1 and other flu viruses.
• Adapting the guidelines published by the CDC, we have implemented the following guidelines:

• Safety – We will promote Mandatory Self Isolation, which means that anyone with flu-like illness must stay away from campus from the time they begin to experience flu-like symptoms through at least 24 hours after they no longer have signs of a fever without use of fever-reducing medications.
• Students who are ill and miss class should communicate with faculty members and staff via e-mail. Make certain to also let your academic advisor know if you are ill.
• Residents who are ill should notify the housing staff by e-mail and make arrangements, if possible, to move home. For residents who cannot leave campus, we will attempt to make arrangements to minimize exposure to other residents and staff. It is absolutely critical that residents who become ill notify the housing staff.
• Employees who are ill should notify their direct supervisor and human resources by email. Further guidance will be provided at that time.
• Education - Flu symptoms include: fever (it’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, sometimes diarrhea and vomiting
• Prevention - Wash your hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers (There are now dispensers in classrooms, restrooms, and common areas across campus). Contact HealthWatch@ hnu.edu for special requests, bacterial wipes, masks and/or concerns.
• Treatment – Do not hesitate to act!
• Get medical care. Contact your health care provider if you are ill and avoid contact with others!
• Get flu AND H1N1 vaccinations. Contact your medical provider and look for more information from HNU in the coming days about immunizations.

Information and Prevention

Viruses can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with viruses and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air. Viruses can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk, for example, and then touches their own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.

Studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces, such as books and doorknobs, and can infect a person for up to 2-8 hours after being deposited on the surface.

The H1N1 virus is not the same as the seasonal flu, but taking care of the flu requires following the same basic common sense rules:

• The treatment is the same: Stay home if you are sick; don’t come back to school or work until 24 hours after your symptoms have disappeared, and if you have persistent symptoms, contact your physician.
• Prevention is also the same: Practice good health hygiene habits and follow the precautions below to protect yourself from getting sick.
• Don’t do any special cleaning other than what you would do if anyone in your home or office who comes down with the flu. Cleaning beyond your normal custodial routine is unnecessary.
• Staff or students who have been exposed but don’t have influenza-like symptoms should not be sent home and don’t need to stay home.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or “Sneeze into Your Sleeve”. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• If you get sick with influenza, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• 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 or mouth. Viruses spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Vaccinations

The Center for Disease Control recommends a vaccination campaign to target high-priority populations in order to reduce the health and societal impact of the H1N1 influenza virus. A vaccine should be available in mid-October and will require two injections that are one month apart. The following four populations have been designated by CDC as high-priority populations for receiving the first rounds of the vaccine:

• Students and staff (all ages) associated with schools (K-12th grade) and children (age ≥6 months) and staff (all ages) in child care centers.
• Pregnant women, children 6 months – 4 years of age, new parents and household contacts of children <6 months of age.
• Non-elderly adults (age <65 years) with medical conditions that increase the risk of complications of influenza.
• Health care workers and emergency services sector personnel (regardless of age).

If you or members of your family meet the criteria as one of the targeted
populations, contact your health care provider regarding vaccination.