H1N1 Flu Information


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USU takes the health of its university community very seriously. As the H1N1 virus (swine flu) continues circulating worldwide, health officials expect cases to keep increasing in the United States. Because the flu virus spreads most easily in fall and winter, USU expects to have H1N1 flu, as well as the usual seasonal flu, on campus during those times. The university plans to do everything possible to promote the health and minimize the effect of flu on its students, faculty and staff. To view frequently asked questions regarding the H1N1 strain, download the FAQ sheet created by the World Health Organization.

Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Bear River Health Department, the university asks that everyone take the actions below in order to help prevent the spread of influenza and to limit the impact of influenza on our community.

This Web site provides the university community with information about the spread of flu and offers guidance to help students, faculty, staff and others prepare for influenza during this academic year. Visit this Web site often for more information and updates.

Vaccinations

There will be two vaccines available to fight the flu: the 2009 seasonal influenza vaccine and a specific vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 influenza.

The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available at the Bear River Health Department (655 E. 1300 North, North Logan, Ut) and from local health care providers. Seasonal flu vaccine is an important measure to protect one's health, although it does not provide specific protection against novel H1N1 influenza.

The H1N1 vaccine will be available sometime near the first of October. An update will be posted when the vaccine becomes available. The vaccine is especially recommended for individuals in certain high-risk groups:

  • Those who are pregnant
  • Those who live with or care for children under 6 months of age
  • Health care workers and emergency personnel
  • Those individuals between 6 months and 24 years of age
  • Those individuals ages 25 to 64, who are in a high risk category.

Current information seems to indicate that, if one has already had the 2009 H1N1 flu, they do not need the vaccine. Also, most of those over age 65 seem to already have some immunity to the illness from prior exposure to similar flu strains.

A toolkit for preparing for the pandemic flu is available here.

Flu Symptoms

  • Fever plus at least either cough or sore throat
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Body aches
  • Chills
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

Diagnosis

Based on global experience, the 2009 H1N1 will likely be the most common influenza virus circulating in the coming season, particularly in those among younger age groups. Circulation of seasonal influenza is also expected. Current rapid testing is not adequately sensitive to rule out influenza A and does not tell the difference between the seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu. The diagnosis will most likely be made upon the presence of symptoms of fever, chills, body aches runny nose and sore throat.

Confirmatory testing is planned only for those who are hospitalized due to the severity of the illness and symptoms. Treatment should not wait for laboratory confirmation of influenza.

A negative rapid influenza test does not rule out influenza. The tests are positive in only 10 to 70 percent of those who actually have the illness.

Treatment

Antiviral medicines are available to treat patients with suspected or confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. These medicines will help to prevent the development of influenza symptoms, even after a person is exposed. This may involve the use of either oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or Zanamivir (Relenza) and may be considered for the following:

  • Persons who have had significant contact with a patient with suspected influenza during the patient's infectious period (24 hours before the onset of symptoms until 24 hours after the fever ends) and who are at higher risk for complications of influenza.
  • Health care personnel, public health workers or first responders who have had a recognized, unprotected, close contact exposure to a patient with suspected 2009 H1N1 or seasonal influenza during that patient's infectious period.

Antiviral agents should generally not be used for post-exposure protection in otherwise healthy children or adults based on reports of possible exposures in the community, school, camp or other settings. Antiviral agents are not recommended if more than 48 hours have passed since the last contact with the infected person.

Antiviral agents are not recommended with contact that occurred before or after, but not during, the ill person's infectious period, as defined above.

Antiviral treatments are not limited to use within specific groups, but, for certain groups of individuals, the use of antiviral medicines is RECOMMENDED. The groups for which the use of antiviral agents is recommended includes:

  • All hospitalized patients with suspected or confirmed influenza
  • Patients with suspected influenza who are at higher risk for complications
  • Children younger than 5 years old
  • Adults 65 and older
  • Pregnant women
  • Patients with certain chronic medical or immunosuppressive conditions
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma
  • COPD/Emphysema
  • Obesity
  • Neuromuscular diseases
  • Immunosuppressive therapy
  • Persons under 19 years who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  • Any patient suspected of having influenza who also has warning signs or symptoms of lower respiratory tract illness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Lowered oxygen levels in blood
  • Any patient with influenza who appears severely ill

Patients who have relatively mild illness and who do not have risk factors for complications from the flu generally do not require antiviral medications. However, clinical judgment is an important factor in antiviral treatment decisions for all patients, and you should consult your doctor with any questions.

Influenza Prevention Measures

Cover coughs and sneezes

  • Influenza viruses are thought to spread mainly from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs and sneezes. Provide information on the importance of covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or, in the absence of a tissue, one's sleeve.
  • Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees and students.

Improve hand hygiene

  • Influenza may be spread via contaminated hands. Employees and students should wash their hands often with soap and water and use an alcohol-based hand cleaner (60 percent Ethyl Alcohol), especially after coughing or sneezing. Place posters in the worksite and in classrooms that encourage hand hygiene.
  • Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand sanitizers in the workplace and in classrooms. Ensure that adequate supplies are maintained. If feasible, place hand sanitizers in multiple locations, such as a conference room, to encourage hand hygiene.
  • Clean surfaces and items that are more likely to have frequent hand contact.
  • Frequently clean all commonly touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label.
  • No additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended.

Utah State University, the CDC and the Bear River Health Department recommend that sick persons should stay home:

  • Be alert to any signs of fever and any other signs of influenza-like illness before reporting to work or attending school each day. Notify the correct person if you are ill and stay home. Those who are ill should not travel.
  • Individuals with influenza-like illness should remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100F [37.8C] or greater), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Expect sick individuals to be out for about three to five days in most cases, even if antiviral medications are used.
  • Do not require a doctor's note for workers or students who are ill with influenza-like illness to validate their illness, as doctor's offices and medical facilities may be extremely busy and may not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way.
  • Individuals who are well but who have an ill family member at home with influenza can go to work or school as usual. However, they should monitor their health every day and stay home if they become ill. Employers and professors should maintain flexible policies that permit individuals to stay home to care for an ill family member. Individuals may need to stay at home to care for ill children or other ill family members more than is usual.

Sick employees at work or sick students on campus should be asked to go home:

  • Employees or students who appear to have an influenza-like illness upon arrival or become ill during the day should be promptly separated from others and be advised to go home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100F [37.8C] or greater), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • When possible and if they can tolerate it, individuals with influenza-like illness should be given a surgical mask to wear before they go home if they cannot be placed in an area away from others.
  • If an employee becomes ill at work, inform fellow employees of their possible exposure in the workplace to influenza-like illness but maintain confidentiality as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees exposed to a sick co-worker should monitor themselves for symptoms of influenza-like illness and stay home if they are sick.

Flu Web sites

For current information regarding the H1N1 Flu, visit the following Web sites: