General Information
What is H1N1 flu?
H1N1 is a new strain of influenza A and was originally called “swine flu” but now is called H1N1 and contains components of swine, avian, and human flu.
A person does not get H1N1 from being around pigs or eating pork
What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
- Fever over 100 degrees - Headache
- Cough - Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat - Fatigue
- Body aches - Vomitting and dirrhea
How is flu spread?
The flu virus is spread through contact with sick people or ‘sick’ objects. To reduce your exposure, distance yourself from sick individuals and wash your hands frequently after touching things that might have been contaminated by a sick person's touch, cough, or sneeze. Flu virus can live from minutes to hours (up to 8 hours) on surfaces.
What is the incubation period for H1N1 flu?
Incubation time from exposure to symptoms is 1-7 days. A person is considered contagious (able to spread infection) 1 day before symptoms start and for an average of up to 7 days after. Shedding of virus is likely greater on days with fever.
How can I prevent getting the flu?
- Do not share food and drinks
- Do not touch your mouth, nose or eyes with contaminated hands
- Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand cleaners frequently
- When you greet people, don’t shake hands or exchange kisses
- To protect others, if you develop sneezing and coughing, be sure to use tissues to
wipe your nose and cover your mouth, and to throw the tissues in the trash
What is the best way to practice good hand hygiene?
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice) is the best way to keep your hands from spreading the virus.
- Alcohol-based hand cleaners containing at least 60% alcohol are also effective.
- If soap and water are not available and alcohol-based products are not allowed in the school, other hand sanitizers that do not contain alcohol may be useful for cleaning hands. However, they may not be as effective as alcohol-based sanitizers.
What should I do if I’m pregnant and I work in or attend a school?
Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu and should speak with their doctor as soon as possible if they develop a flu-like illness to find out whether they should take antiviral flu medicines. Early treatment with antiviral flu medicines is recommended for pregnant women who have the flu. Pregnant women and their doctors should know that they are part of the first priority group to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.
Is campus planning to provide vaccination clinics for the flu?
- The University hosts several vaccination clinics each year. Seasonal flu clinic information is posted on the Human Resources website, under Benefits.
- Two shots, likely given three weeks apart, will be needed to protect against H1N1 influenza. Traditional flu vaccine (1 dose) should also be received.
I had a ‘regular’ flu shot this year. Will that protect me from the H1N1 flu virus?
No. The novel H1N1 flu is very different from other human flu strains. Vaccines for seasonal flu will not provide protection from novel H1N1 flu viruses. Vaccines are currently in development and information will be provided to the campus, as it is available.
Is NC State planning to distribute facemasks or other personal protective equipment to Campus?
Following the advice of public health agencies, CDC and OSHA, NC State does not recommend the use of surgical masks, gloves, or other personal protective equipment for normal use to control exposure. Only mandatory employees, such as emergency responders and health care personnel, categorized as “very high exposure risk” under OSHA, will be included in respiratory protection planning.
What does WHO Phase 6 mean?
World Health Organization (WHO) phases are markers of transmissibility of a disease. There are six phases; phase 6 indicates a pandemic and is characterized by sustained human-to-human transmission. On June 11, 2009, WHO declared an Influenza Pandemic for H1N1 influenza (www.who.int).
The severity of the pandemic is based on an index. This index, from the lowest category of 1 to the highest category of 5, helps determine the impact the virus will have on a community and the planning needed to reduce the impact.
Where can I get guidance and information?
NC State maintains a series of resource materials and planning documents to educate our campus.
Orientation to Emergency Preparedness and Procedures:
http://www.ncsu.edu/emergency-information/index.php
University Infectious Disease Planning Information:
http://www.ncsu.edu/ehs/pandemic/index.htm
Student Health Services:
http://www.ncsu.edu/student_health/whatsNew/influenzaupdate1.html
Outside resources provide additional information:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.dhhs.state.nc.us/
US Department of Health and Human Services:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
http://www.flu.gov
Centers for Disease Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
World Health Organization:
http://www.who.int/en/
