As the H1N1 influenza A continues to circulate worldwide, health officials expect case counts to rise in the
The University's Department of Environment, Health and Safety, www.ehs.unc.edu/healthy/h1n1.shtml, is leading
The CDC has recently issued new recommendations for when you should stay home from work or school. Based upon this new information, the University has developed recommendations to guide students about school or work.
Students diagnosed with, or suspected to have influenza: If possible, you should go home to recover. You should not attend class or visit the dining hall. Avoid contact with others at least 24 hours after your fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications (e.g. Tylenol or ibuprofen). If you cannot go home, you should wear a surgical mask while in common areas like bathrooms, the common areas of your residence hall, or when you are in room with an unaffected individual.
University students who are well but have a family member or roommate with H1N1 flu: Can attend classes or visit the dining hall as usual. You should monitor your health everyday. If you become ill, you should go home to recover
Students who are ill with fever and respiratory symptoms: Call the Campus Health Services main appointment number at 919-966-2281 to schedule an appointment or for nursing advice and instruction. Please be advised that you will be asked to wear a mask upon entering the building to protect other students and staff. If you leave the residence hall or home to seek medical care or other necessities, you should cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A tissue, other covering (e.g. shirt sleeve) or a surgical mask can be used to cover the cough or sneeze.
Missed classes: The Division of Student Affairs is working with Academic Affairs to address issues surrounding class absences. You should notify the Office of the Dean of Students at 919-966-4042 and also e-mail your instructors to notify them of your absences. More specific advice will follow.
Participation: Students with flu-like symptoms should not participate in Sport Club events such as practice, games, or team meetings. Students should isolate themselves as per the above guidelines. Anyone exposed to someone with flu-like symptoms should monitor developing symptoms and body temperature regularly. Students should not return to participation until their temperature has resolved (without the help of fever-reducing medications such as Tylenol).
Sport Club Officers\Coaches Role: Disposable thermometers are available at common practice sites (Hooker Fields, Ehringhaus Field) in the Sport Club Athletic Training Kits. Temperatures can also be taken at the Fetzer Athletic Training Room. Anyone presenting to practice with flu-like symptoms should be monitored for a fever. If fever of 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit or greater is present, the athlete should be sent home from participation that day and should call Campus Health Service main appointment number 919-966-2281 for nursing advice and instruction or to schedule an appointment.
CDC Tips to Fight H1N1 Influenza
CDC recommends everyone take the following steps to stay healthy:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way
- Consider vaccination against seasonal influenza and H1N1 when the vaccine becomes available.
H1N1 Influenza symptoms:
Fever over 100 degrees, cough, fatigue, sore throat, body aches, vomiting, headache. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call 919-966-6573 to speak with a nurse.
CHS Hours of Operation - Fall and Spring Semesters:
8a-8p Monday through Friday
8a-5p Saturday and Sunday
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, call 919-966-6573 to speak with a nurse. When CHS is closed, call 919-966-2281 and you will be connected to a Healthlink nurse. The telephone advice nurse will give you guidance and instructions until CHS re-opens.
H1N1 Influenza Frequently Asked Questions
The University has reviewed the CDC Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Education regarding H1N1 Influenza. The following recommendations in question and answer format are based on these guidelines and available campus resources.
Q: How do I keep from getting sick?
A: Although H1N1 flu has proven to be relatively mild and responsive to anti-viral drugs the CDC recommends that everyone take the following actions to stay healthy:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Vaccination against seasonal influenza and H1N1 when the vaccine becomes available.
Q: What do I do if I develop flu-like symptoms which include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea?
A: You should avoid school, work, and socializing. The CDC suggests self isolation- returning home if possible or remaining in your room until 24 hours after resolution of fever without the use of fever reducing medicines like Tylenol or ibuprofen. Self isolation also means limiting contact with others and not visiting the dining hall. Contact your instructors to notify them you are not feeling well and receive instructions about how to make-up any coursework and receive classroom materials.
Q: If I develop flu-like symptoms, what should I do if I live in on-campus housing or in an off-campus communal living environment like a fraternity or sorority?
A: If you share a bedroom with another person your best option is to return to your home or stay at a friend or family member’s house. You should travel by private car rather than public transportation.
Students in a private room should remain in their room as much as possible, cover your mouth and nose when coughing/sneezing or wear a surgical mask when in shared spaces.
If you are ill and unable to return home, we recommend that you speak with your roommate. It is important to note that you are contagious about 24 hours before you become ill; however, if your roommate is concerned, you can reinforce your commitment to good hygiene by maintaining a physical distance, proper disposal of tissues, and disinfecting high touch surfaces with sanitizing wipes such as Lysol or Clorox.. Your roommate also has a variety of options including maintaining a physical distance while in the room, taking proactive hygiene precautions, or temporarily moving in with friends during the period of self-isolation. This will most likely be a period of 3-5 days. You may also wish to consider wearing a surgical mask.
If roommates continue to live in the same space, the ill person should always cover his/her cough or sneeze with tissue and then discard the tissue in the trash can, frequently clean hands with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer, and frequently decontaminate things touched in the room or in shared spaces like bathrooms.
Ill students should limit their contact with others and, to the extent possible, maintain a distance of 3 - 6 feet from people with whom they share living space. Shared bathrooms should be avoided or receive frequent cleaning. If close contact cannot be avoided, the ill student should wear a surgical mask during the period of isolation.
If a student has a medical condition that predisposes him/her to a higher risk of complications for both seasonal influenza and H1N1, consult with Campus Health Services (number 919.966.2281) or your personal healthcare provider. These conditions include pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, certain chronic lung, heart, and kidney conditions, as well as any medical condition that leads to a suppressed immune system.
Q: How do I clean my room and other areas?
A: The virus does not live on environmental surfaces for extended periods and is easily killed by normal household disinfectants like Lysol or Clorox wipes. To best protect yourself and your roommate(s) establish regular schedules for frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces (for example, bathrooms, doorknobs, and tables).
Q: When should I seek medical attention?
A: The strain of H1N1 circulating in the spring and summer of 2009 generally resulted in a mild to moderate illness. As long as the disease does not increase in severity, it is likely that the majority of individuals who contract the virus will not need to seek medical attention but self –isolate and use over the counter medications for symptom relief. Campus Health Services offers an over-the-counter pharmacy in the
Students with flu-like illness should promptly seek medical attention if they have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from flu, are concerned about their illness, or develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or rapid breathing. Contact Campus Health Services (number 919.966.2281) or your personal healthcare provider.
Q: What should I do if I think I have a high risk condition?
A: 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 medications often can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. Groups that are at higher risk of complications from flu if they get sick include: children younger than age 5; people age 65 or older; children and adolescents (younger than age 18) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye’s syndrome after flu virus infection; pregnant women; adults and children who have asthma, other chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes; and adults and children with immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV). People age 65 and older, however, appear to be at lower risk of 2009 H1N1 infection compared to younger people. But, if older adults do get sick from flu, they are at increased risk of having a severe illness.
Q: How will I get food if I can not visit the dining hall?
A: The Community Office providing services to your residence hall will have several “flu-care” kits that include a sports drink and some dehydrated soup that can be prepared in your room, provided you have a microwave oven.. For ongoing food, it is recommended that you establish a Flu Buddy that will help deliver food and other items you may need during the period of self-isolation. Your Resident Advisor can also help facilitate any needs you might have.
Q: What is the best source of updated information about the H1N1 situation on campus?
A: Below are website links that will provide the most updated information, including:
Links to updated information
printer friendly