H1N1 Flu (sometimes referred to as “Swine Flu”) is currently in the news. H1N1 is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Because the virus has become so prevalent and is spread from person to person, it has become known as a pandemic virus. It is infecting young people, particularly college students, at a very high rate.
H1N1 flu is a contagious virus, much like regular seasonal flu. It is spread person to person through coughing or sneezing. You may also get the virus from touching items—such as a telephone, door handle or other commonly used surface—that a sick person has touched.
Do You Think You Have H1N1 Flu? Don’t Panic!
· Symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, body aches, sore throat, cough, headache, runny or stuffy nose and fatigue
· Most people will experience mild to moderate symptoms and do not need to seek medical attention
· Call a health care provider if you are pregnant, immune compromised or have an underlying chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, heart or kidney problems. ECU Student Health 252-328-6841. After Hours call 252-328-6841 for referral and medical advice
· Report any severe symptoms such as wheezing, fever above 102 degrees, inability to put your chin to your chest or if you are unable to drink liquids
· If you do feel ill, it is important that you stay home and away from others to help stop the spread of the virus
· Do not return to class, work or social settings until you have been fever free for at least 24 hours (without the use of Tylenol/Ibuprofen or other fever reducing medications)
· Sneeze or cough into your sleeve or a tissue to help contain germs. Promptly discard used tissues and wear a mask if you are coughing and must be around other people.
Testing for H1N1 Flu
Currently, routine testing for H1N1 flu is not advised or necessary. Rapid flu tests available during seasonal flu are not believed to be accurate for detecting H1N1 flu.
Treatment for H1N1 Flu
Ø H1N1 is a virus, so antibiotics will not help!
Ø Anti-viral medication (such as Tamiflu or Relenza) is not recommended for mild to moderate cases of H1N1. However if you are pregnant, immune compromised or have an underlying chronic medical condition, your health care provider may prescribe an anti-viral medication for you.
Ø Stay hydrated by drinking clear liquids.
Ø Rest as much as possible.
Ø Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen for aches and fever. Cough suppressants and decongestants may also help with symptom relief.
Ø Keep a supply of foods on hand that are easy to prepare (i.e. soup).
Protecting Yourself from H1N1 Flu
ü Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based hand sanitizer gel
ü Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
ü Stay away from those who are ill and avoid crowds as much as possible
ü If someone you live with becomes ill, clean commonly used items and wipe down surfaces with a household disinfectant (such as Lysol or diluted bleach solution); also be extra diligent about washing your hands
ü Do not eat or drink after ill persons
ü Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then promptly dispose of used tissues in a trash receptacle; if you cannot use a tissue use your sleeve to contain germs
ü Get the H1N1 vaccine when available
H1N1 Vaccine Information
A vaccine for H1N1 flu is currently in production and safety trials are underway.
Most officials believe the vaccine will be available in mid to late fall of this year. The vaccine will likely be given according to certain priority criteria, meaning that some target groups will get the vaccine ahead of other groups. As soon as college students are identified as a target group, ECU Student Health will hold H1N1 Flu shot clinics to facilitate students getting the vaccine.
We anticipate that the H1N1 Flu vaccine will be free and that students will need a total of 2 doses (3-4 weeks apart) for adequate protection. The H1N1 vaccine is not the same as the regular seasonal flu shot and will not replace the need to also protect yourself from seasonal flu through vaccination.
More information on H1N1 vaccination and flu shot clinics will be available in the near future.
What is ECU doing about H1N1 Flu?
ECU is monitoring the H1N1 situation closely and is collaborating with local health officials to ensure that students and university community members are kept up to date on the latest information. A university wide pandemic plan is in place for such events as H1N1 flu, but at this time there is no recommendation to close residence halls, cancel classes or suspend social activities.
Other H1N1 Resources:
ECU’s alert page http://www.ecu.edu/alert/
Centers for Disease Control http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
Pitt County Public Health http://www.pittcountync.gov/depts/health/
