September 4, 2009
H1N1 Influenza is circulating in many communities, including Orange County.
It is important to understand that currently this influenza is acting like a mild seasonal influenza that circulates every year. Most people who get the virus are back to normal activities in three to five days. The major difference between this strain of flu and the normal seasonal flu is that it is occurring out of the normal flu season sequence (typically October through March), and it appears to spread a little quicker than the normal flu, especially among young adults.
We know this virus spreads just like the usual seasonal influenza by coughing and sneezing, and by coming into contact with a contaminated surface or within 6 feet of an infected individual. It is not spread through the air vents and can be killed by normal household cleaners.
We are working closely with the public health authorities like the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) and the North Carolina Health Department to slow the spread of the illness by asking individuals with influenza like symptoms to isolate themselves for 24 hours after their fever is gone while they are off fever reducing medications.
We are asking affected individuals as well as roommates and suitemates to take some standard precautions that have been well outlined in previous communications: practice good respiratory etiquette, clean high touch areas with disinfectant wipes, go home if possible if you are sick, and, if not, perhaps the well roommate can bunk with friends for a short period of time. Please see the FAQs on our website for more detailed information. http://campushealth.unc.edu
Please note that the CDC and the State Health Department do not recommend routinely testing for H1N1 influenza in non-hospitalized patients at this time. If you have influenza like symptoms but may have another reason to have these symptoms, tell your healthcare provider. These public health authorities also do not recommend treatment with anti-viral medication for healthy adults.
Please call or visit Campus Health if you are exposed and you have a high risk condition or are having worrisome symptoms.
Member of the University’s Pandemic Response Team communicate with one another on a daily basis and also monitor the spread of the disease daily. The University constantly monitors the Centers for Disease Control and the North Carolina Division of Public Health for any new information that might help mitigate the spread of the virus, and when new information is provided, it is communicated immediately to the campus wide community in a variety of ways, including campus wide emails, web site postings, posters, and other methods. The University has been planning for the possibility of a pandemic since 2006, and an in-depth pandemic flu plan is in place. At this time, we anticipate being able to finish the semester with minimal disruption to classes and personal health.
Sincerely,
Mary Covington MD
Campus Health Services
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