Announcement: Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Swine Flu Shot? Click here for more information.

Announcement: Health Services has on hand about 230 doses of the regular Seasonal Influenza Vaccine .Staff and students who are pregnant, asthmatic, diabetic or have chronic illnesses and persons age 50 and over are invited to come to Health Services Monday November 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

UDC Will Provide the H1N1 Vaccine Soon… Click here for more information.

Important Links
Latest Status on H1N1 - http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

Questions and Answers: CDC H1N1 Flu | Influenza Diagnostic Testing During the 2009-2010 Flu Season

Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza FAQ's| Academic Issues FAQ's| General FAQ's

Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza FAQ's

Q: Do I need to get a separate seasonal flu shot and a H1N1 Flu shot?

A: Yes. The seasonal flu shot will protect against 3 types of influenza that are likely to circulate in the upcoming flu season, but not the H1N1 influenza. Both are manufactured in injection or nasal spray. The seasonal flu vaccine injection is now available at the usual community locations. Only the seasonal vaccine nasal spray is available from the manufacturers for the remainder of the flu season. You will be notified should the Health Services receive enough to hold flu clinics.

Q: Will the seasonal and H1N1 swine flu vaccine be available on campus?

A: The seasonal and H1N1 Swine Flu vaccines are on order. The UDC community will be notified about the seasonal and H1N1 Swine Flu clinics as soon the shipment arrives at Health Services. More information about the dosage will be announced when the vaccines are available.

Q: Do I need to get the seasonal flu shot in order to be eligible to get the H1N1 vaccine?

A: The CDC is recommending both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. However, neither vaccine is required to be eligible for the other.

Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1 influenza?

A: The signs and symptoms are similar to regular seasonal human influenza and include any of the following:

• Fever over 100 degrees (Children and adolescents should not take aspirin if they have the flu as they are at risk for Reye’s Syndrome)
  
• Cough and/or sore throat, and may be accompanied by
  
• Body aches/headaches
  
• Chills
  
• Fatigue
  
• Occasionally diarrhea and vomiting

Q: How is the virus spread?

A: The virus is spread through close contact, person to person, through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory secretions.

Q: How long is the flu contagious?

A: The flu is contagious one to two days before symptoms appear and one day after fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Q: Who is at highest risk for H1N1 flu?

A: According to the CDC, the groups of people at highest risk for severe illness from H1N1 infection are thought to include:

• Pregnant women
  
• Adults and children who have asthma, chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes
  
• Adults and children whose immune system is suppressed
• Children younger than five years old
• Children and adolescents (younger than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
  

Q: How do I know if someone has H1N1 flu or seasonal flu?

A: If someone is sick with flu-like symptoms, it will be very hard to distinguish whether they have H1N1 flu or seasonal flu. Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should stay home and not go to class or work.

Q: What can be done to prevent H1N1 influenza?

A: The following steps can help reduce the likelihood of transmission:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available, because the virus lives for several hours on surfaces.
  
• Do not share drinking or eating utensils.
  
• Avoid close personal contact with people who exhibit flu-like symptoms.
  
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
  
• When sneezing or coughing cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or with a tissue and discard the tissue in the trash.
  
• Get plenty of sleep, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious foods and manage stress.
  
• If you notice symptoms, do not go to class or work, stay in your room, avoid close personal contact with people as much as possible for at least 24 hours after fever subsides (without the use of fever-reducing medications), and call your health care provider for advice.
  

Q: What treatment is given for H1N1 flu?

A: The CDC is currently advising that most people with H1N1 influenza recover completely in seven days. In most cases, antiviral treatment, such as with Tamiflu, is not recommended. Antiviral medication can be given to treat those severely ill or with certain chronic medical conditions.

Q: Can I get the flu more than once during this academic year?

A. Yes, since the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu are different viruses, it is possible to get each type of flu at different times. Vaccination for one type of flu will not prevent you from getting the other type of flu.

Q: Are face masks recommended?

A: The CDC is not recommending face masks for prevention in community and home settings or for workers in non-health care occupational settings. Those who choose to use face masks do so at their own discretion. Face masks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them, so the use of surgical masks for persons with flu is an option to cover their mouth and nose in the event they have to leave their room to seek medical care or other necessities.

FAQ's on Academic Issues

Q: If I have flu-like symptoms, should I go to class?

A: No, stay home until you are free from symptoms and you are fever free for 24 hours.

Q: Should I notify my professors that I have flu-like symptoms?

A: Yes, either email or phone your professors right away to tell them why you will be missing their classes. Health Services must report the number of cases occurring on the campus. Please call (202) to inform the Health Services if you develop flu symptoms. The Health Services staff will also advise you on what to do if you do not have a regular physician.

Q: How will I make up the class work that I miss?

A: Professors will explain this to you. Also, you may contact another student in the course to provide you with notes and assignments.

Q: Will I be penalized for missing a class because I am sick?

A: No, all professors have been asked to be flexible in dealing with absences related to influenza during the fall semester. However, you must complete all assignments that you missed while you are ill.

Q: If I need to submit an assignment while sick, what should I do?

A: Either send it by email or have a friend deliver it for you.

Q: What if my roommate has or develops the flu?

A: The prevention recommendations stay the same. The influenza virus is spread through close contact, person to person, through coughing, sneezing, and respiratory secretions. It lives for several hours on surfaces. You can protect yourself by washing your hands with soap and warm water frequently or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are not available, avoiding close personal contact with people who are sick or have flu-like symptoms and avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Consider keeping household cleansers like cleaning wipes in your home/room to keep surfaces clean. If a roommate is experiencing flu-like symptoms, consider rearranging furniture to create social distance. Ideally, there should be at least six feet between people at most times according to the CDC.

Q: What should I do if I experience flu symptoms?

A: Students, who have flu-like symptoms, should not attend class, stay at home, avoid close personal contact with people as much as possible, and call the UDC Health Service at 202-274-5030 for advice.
Faculty and staff who have flu-like symptoms should not come to work, stay home until they are no longer contagious, contact their health care provider for advice, and notify their supervisor that they will be unable to come to work.

Q: Where can I get help if I think I have the flu?

A: Students can call for advice from the UDC Health Service at 202-274-5030 or their health care provider. After an initial phone evaluation, a visit to the Student Health Service may be recommended.
Faculty and staff should contact their personal health care provider to get advice.

Q: Will students who develop the flu be quarantined?

A: The CDC is not recommending quarantine for cases of H1N1. Rather, those with flu symptoms are encouraged to avoid close contact with others, stay home or in their room and keep away from others as much as possible for at least 24 hours after fever subsides (without the use of fever-reducing medications) except to get medical care or for other necessities, and cover their mouth and nose with tissue or a mask if they have to leave.

Q: Will the University move students who exhibit flu symptoms?

A: The CDC has found that most cases of H1N1 are contagious one to two days before symptoms appear. Since roommates will have already been exposed, moving students with flu symptoms to a new living space would not provide much protection for their roommates. For anyone who develops flu symptoms, the CDC is recommending avoiding close personal contact with others and staying in their room until at least 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medications. The University does not have facilities to relocate students with flu.

Q: How and where can I get masks?

A: Students who visit the Student Health Service and are diagnosed as having flu will receive a supply of the appropriate masks.

General FAQ'S

Q: What is the University doing to prepare and plan?

A: UDC is posting information regarding flu prevention and preparations on its website. The University has also placed hand sanitizer dispensers by all building elevators.

Q: What will the University do to clean public areas that may be exposed to the influenza virus?

A: The University will focus particular attention on locations on its campuses where students gather and devote extra resources to cleaning public, high volume locations.

Q: Will the University remain open if cases of the flu occur?

A: The CDC is not recommending closure of academic institutions, and the University plans to be open and operating.

Q. Will you identify people who have been diagnosed with the flu so others will be able to avoid them?

A: Since an individual’s health information is private by federal law, the University cannot release such information about any student or employee.

Q: Where can I get additional information?

A: Please visit www.udc.edu/flu for the latest flu information.

 

updated 10/14/09