H1N1 (Swine Flu) | |
1. What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
H1N1 is a new influenza (flu) virus first seen in the United States in April 2009. It is called "novel" H1N1 because the virus has never been identified before and is new. Novel H1N1 was initially called "swine flu" by health officials because many of the genes are similar to some flu viruses that pigs in North America can get. However, further study showed that this new virus contains genes from flu viruses that circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia as well as genes from birds and humans. Scientists call this a "quadruple reassortant" influenza virus.
As health officials learn more about this flu virus, they continue to identify it more accurately. As a result, you may hear or see it called by different names, including "novel H1N1 influenza (flu) virus," "H1N1 influenza (flu) virus" or "novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection." These are all describing this same, newly seen influenza virus in people. The word "novel" indicates that this is a new influenza virus with a gene combination that has not been seen before.
2. What are the symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
Symptoms of H1N1 flu are the same as seasonal flu and include a fever of 100 degrees F or higher, cough or sore throat. In addition to these major symptoms, individuals may experience fatigue, headache, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
3. What should you do if you develop these symptoms?
Faculty and staff should stay at home and contact their physicians. Faculty and staff can transmit flu to students or other members of the college community who have underlying health conditions which put these individuals at risk for serious health consequences.
4. How long should you stay home?
If you have the symptoms listed in question 2 , the CDC and Canisius College recommends you stay home from school, work and all community activities until you are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. Health officials believe that indivduals are no longer infectious after this period of time. A fever is defined as 100ºF or 37.8ºC.
5. How will you be compensated for time taken if you are sick or to take for a sick family member?
The college current sick leave policies will remain in effect for H1N1 flu. Faculty and staff who do not come to work due to familial responsibilities are able to utilize vacation time, family care, and personal time or take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
6. What should you do if you have close contact with someone who is sick with flu-like symptoms?
You should monitor your temperature daily for 7 days. If you develop a fever of 100 degrees F and a sore throat or cough, stay home and follow the previous recommendations.
7. What can you do to protect yourself from H1N1 (swine flu)?
You can help protect yourself and reduce the spread of seasonal or H1N1 (swine flu) by taking the following steps:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds (about as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song twice).
- If you cannot get to a sink with water to wash your hands, you can use hand sanitizer. Gels, rubs, and hand wipes all work well, as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol. Be sure to throw the hand wipes into a trashcan.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of your elbow.
- Be sure to dispose of your used tissues into a trash can.
- Avoid getting close to people who are sick. Stay 6 feet away from a sick person.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because germs can be spread this way.
- Wash surfaces on your work space with a disinfectant daily.
- Do not share keyboards, telephones or eating utensils with others.
- Update your emergency contact information on Banner.
- Sign up for Canisius Alert, if you have not done so, to receive emergency information on College closure or class cancellations.
- Plan to get a flu shot this fall either on campus or at your doctor’s office.
The college recommends you obtain vaccination at your doctor's office or clinic.
Campus members are encouraged to get a flu shot annually against seasonal flu. A flu shot clinic is schedule for September 24, 2009 in the Penfold Common from 9 am to 3pm
8. What should you tell students about H1N1 flu and class attendance, work, or participation in campus activities?
Students should be advised if they develop flu-like symptoms to stay home and self isolate. Students should remains at home until they are without a fever for 24 hours with out the use of fever reducing medications. Students should also be advised to report their illness to faculty and campus officials using the Student Flu Reporting System found on the current student page of the college website or at www.canisius.edu/flu and to contact their health care provider or Student Health for medical recommendations.
9. How will you know students are cleared to return?
Most students who are sick with H1N1 will have a mild illness that does not require a visit to a health care provider. Students will, in most cases, be given telephone advise by Student Health or their health care provider on managing flu. As a result, students will not have a medical note indicating clearance for return. Knowing this the college will not require medical return notes. Students will be advised to return to class after a 24 hour fever free period without the use of fever reducing medications. Faculty and staff should follow these guidelines.
Other Resources
www.cdc.gov/h1n1
www.health.state.ny.us
www.flu.gov/indivdualfamily/caregivers/index.html
Page last modified on 10/1/2009 1:58:11 PM