Stay Alert to Flu Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

With the outbreak of H1N1 (swine) flu cases steadily increasing in Cache Valley, including at Utah State University, Dr. James Davis, director of the USU Health and Wellness Center, reminds everyone to stay alert to virus symptoms, treatment and prevention.

The Utah Department of Health said this week [June 15-19] that surveillance data indicate that approximately 95 percent of influenza activity in the state is due to the H1N1 virus. As a result, clinicians are being told to assume any patient who tests positive for influenza A has novel H1N1 infection and to commence treatment without further laboratory confirmation. Although the flu, now declared a global pandemic, is not as severe as first feared, no immunity to the virus yet exists.

 

“Our focus right now is on prevention,” Davis said. “While we may not currently have a vaccine for this particular strain of virus, we do have enough knowledge to know what needs to be done to prevent its spread.”

 

Davis recommends that a primary way to reduce the spread of influenza in places where people naturally gather, such as university campuses, is to focus on early identification of ill students, faculty and staff, staying at home — or away from others — when ill, and to practice proper cough and hand hygiene etiquette.

 

The symptoms of influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, usually include fever plus at least either cough or sore throat. Flu infection can also lead to classic symptoms, including headache, fatigue, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, diarrhea and vomiting.

 

Davis said the severity of the H1N1 flu varies from mild to severe. Mild cases, which most victims in Cache Valley have experienced, have resulted in fevers, coughing, sore throats and general aching that lasts from two to three days, with the total duration of illness up to five days. In the most severe cases, pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death are possible.

 

Davis gives the following general recommendations for students and for faculty and those holding camps and conferences at USU:

 

-In the materials distributed prior to, or at registration, be certain to collect contact information for multiple ways that parents or responsible parties can be contacted should illness occur during the camp.

 

-Consider including in registration packets the logistics for transportation of ill persons for medical care or return home.

 

-Notify attendees that they are not allowed to attend a summer camp or conference if they currently have, or have had flu-like symptoms in the 7 days prior to the start of the camp.

 

-Hand washing facilities, including running water and liquid hand soap, should be readily accessible. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be used if hands are not visibly soiled. 

 

-Plan ahead to ensure that enough alcohol-based hand sanitizers are available for situations where it is known that hand washing facilities may not be available, such as during hikes.

 

-Clean all areas and items routinely that are more likely to have frequent hand contact, like doorknobs, faucets and handrails. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas. It is not necessary to conduct disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond routine cleaning. 

 

-Educational materials and information should be provided in a way that is age-appropriate that will explain about good hand and respiratory hygiene.

 

-Staff and volunteers should be diligent about early recognition of illness and quickly isolate those who are experiencing flu symptoms.  

 

-Participants who develop symptoms should be immediately separated from the general population and kept away from healthy participants until they can be safely returned home or taken for medical care, if needed.

 

-Anyone with a medical condition that would increase his or her risk of severe illness from influenza, including pregnant women, should not be designated as caregivers for ill persons.  

 

-For proper technique in caring for an ill person, refer to the following guidance: Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home.

 

Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435-797-1358; john.devilbiss@usu.edu
Contact: Dr. Jim Davis, 435-797-3505; jim.davis@usu.edu