H1N1 vaccine (shot or nasal spray) is available free to all NC State students by Student Health appointment. Call 919-515-7107. Show NC State student ID or BCBSNC card and a photo ID to receive free vaccine. There is no longer a requirement to be in a priority group to receive the vaccine.
FREE Upcoming H1N1 Vaccine Clinics - no appointment needed; bring student ID or BCBSNC card and photo ID *nasal and shot available while supply lasts
Who is eligible to receive the vaccine by appointment at Student Health?
NC State students can receive the vaccine by calling 919-515-7107.
Who can receive the shot versus who can receive the nasal spray vaccine?
The shot can be given to any person over six months of age. The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to those who are pregnant, those with a chronic medical condition or weakened immune system, or those over age 49.
How many doses of H1N1 vaccine should an adult receive?
Only one dose of H1N1 vaccine (either the nasal or a shot) is needed.
Is appointment needed?
Student Health is now offering vaccine by individual appointment. Call 919-515-7107 to make an appointment with a nurse or pharmacist to receive the vaccine.
Which individuals should NOT receive the nasal vaccine?
Pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions or weak immune system, or people over age 49 should receive the shot rather than the nasal spray.
What is the charge for H1N1 vaccine? H1N1 vaccine is free to students who present their current NC State University ID. In addition, BlueCross BlueShield NC members should present their member card and photo ID to receive the free flu shot.
Will Student Health be offering any future H1N1 vaccination clinics? H1N1 vaccine can be received by Student Health appointment by calling 919-515-7107 while vaccine supply lasts. Information about H1N1 vaccine clinic opportunities will be posted on this Web site as those clinics are arranged.
Should I receive the H1N1 vaccine if I've already had a flu-like illness since spring 2009?
According to the CDC,
"The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. Specific testing, called RT-PCR test, is needed in order to tell if an illness is caused by a specific influenza strain or by some other virus. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Since most people with flu-like illnesses will not be tested with RT-PCR this season, the majority will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus.
Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had 2009 H1N1 infection, you should get vaccinated, if your doctor recommends it. So, most people recommended for 2009 H1N1 vaccination should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you have had 2009 H1N1 flu, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful."
Essential H1N1 Information
You are encouraged to view the H1N1 slideshow for detailed information.
What if I am ill with flu like symptoms?
Follow the CDC recommendations to self-isolate (stay home from school, work and socializing) until at least 24 hours after fever has resolved, without having to take fever-reducing medication. Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms are more than mild, if diagnosis is not certain, or if you have a medical condition (such as pregnancy, diabetes, asthma, low immunity, heart, lung or kidney disease) that puts you at high risk for complications.
NC State Student Flu Statistics
Over 1,500 NC State students were diagnosed with influenza or influenza-like illness from August 17 through November 21, 2009. Numbers are based on having a positive rapid influenza A test, meeting the CDC definition of influenza-like illness, or having positive specialized testing for H1N1.
Analysis of the over 1,500 affected shows a variety of majors, 51.3% male, 48.7% female, 89.2% undergraduate, 63.4% residing off campus, and 36.6% residing on campus at various residences.
The number of cases is likely conservative because it includes only those diagnosed by a Student Health physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. Those diagnosed by a community healthcare provider, who treated based on telephone medical advice, who visited a Student Health nurse only, or who self-treated without seeking medical care are not included in the count.
The breakdown includes 23 during week of August 17, 58 during week of August 24, 115 during week of August 31, 111 during week of September 7, 217 during week of September 14, 193 during week of September 21, 164 the week of September 28, 73 the shortened week of October 5, 2009 (fall break), 88 the week of October 12, 96 the week of October 19, 132 the week of October 26, 106 the week of November 2, 90 the week of November, and 65 the week of November 16. Additional cases continue to be diagnosed.
H1N1 Facts
H1N1 is a new strain of influenza A. Since it is a new strain, the vaccine received for seasonal flu will not protect a person from getting this flu. Most people born after 1950 have no immunity to H1N1. One-third of people over sixty might have some immunity.
H1N1 is being seen internationally, nationally, in North Carolina, and in Wake County. It isnot unique to NC State. Symptoms have ranged from mild and not requiring a visit to a medical provider to severe with complications. Some deaths have been reported nationally.
Those with certain medical conditions (such as pregnancy, lowered immunity, diabetes, and heart, lung, or kidney disease) have a higher risk of complications.
As individuals are diagnosed, Student Health is following recognized public health guidelines about treatment, isolation to prevent spread of the infection to others, and notification of contacts.
H1N1 has components of swine, avian, and human flu. The term "swine flu" that was initially used has been replaced by H1N1. A person does not get H1N1 by being around pigs or by eating pork.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include fever over 100, sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose, fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
How Flu is Spread
Person to Person: By direct contact with respiratory droplets, such as kissing or sharing a drink or by respiratory droplets when the infected person coughs or sneezes. This sends droplets through the air that can be deposited in the mouth or nose of a well person nearby, as much as 10 feet away.
From Contaminated Objects to Person: When a well person touches something that is contaminated by flu droplets, and the contaminated hands are brought to the mouth, nose, or eyes. Flu virus may survive on non-porous surfaces, such as plastic or metal, as long as 48 hours. The virus may survive as long as 12 hours on porous surfaces, such as fabric and paper.
Incubation Period
Incubation period from exposure to developing symptoms is usually within 7 days.
Period When Contagious
A person with flu is considered contagious (able to spread infection to others) 1 day before symptoms develop and for about 7 days or more after symptoms develop. A person is considered most contagious and able to shed the virus while fever is present.
Latest CDC recommendation (August 5, 2009) for schools, businesses, and community settings regarding self-isolation (staying away from others) is:
CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
If You are Ill
If you develop symptoms suspicious for flu that are more than mild, if you have a medical condition that puts you at risk for complications from the flu, or if you are unsure of your diagnosis, contact your medical provider for advice or to arrange a visit. Make a Student Health appointment online at healthweb.ncsu.edu or call 919-515-7107.
Individuals with a mild case might choose to self-treat and not see a medical provider.
Those who see a medical provider might be diagnosed based on symptoms that fit the CDC definition of "influenza-like illness" and have no testing. Sometimes flu testing might be done.
Student Health offers a rapid flu test that can distinguish Influenza A from Influenza B. H1N1 Influenza is caused by a strain of Influenza A. The rapid flu test may be positive when there is flu infection, but there is no guarantee that the rapid flu test will be positive even if a person has the flu. Specialized testing to determine the specific influenza strain is sometimes ordered. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is only recommending specialized testing testing for those patients who are hospitalized and in certain other special situations.
Remember that there are many illnesses with symptoms similar to influenza that are not influenza at all. For example, a common cold or allergies can cause nasal symptoms and cough. If you have questions about your symptoms or feel you need to be seen because of symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Treatment
Monitor temperature and treat fever. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are two medications commonly used to treat fever and body aches.
Over-the-counter throat lozenges, decongestants or cough products are sometimes used.
Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial complications, such as pneumonia or ear infection.
Prescription cough medication is sometimes given for severe cough.
Anti-viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, are considered effective against most cases of H1N1 flu and are most effective if given within 48 hours of onset of symptoms. Current public health recommendation is that anti-viral medication be used for those who are hospitalized or at higher risk for influenza complications and that healthy patients with uncomplicated illness need not be treated with anti-virals.
Get extra rest and extra fluids.
How to Keep from Spreading Flu if You Are Illand How to Notify Contacts CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100 degrees), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Students who are told to self-isolate should contact instructors by phone or e-mail to make them aware that they will be away from class and should discuss with instructor how to keep up with assignments and course content. Remember that you may be too ill to study or be productive academically while you are recovering from the flu.
Contact your employer to let them know you will be away from work.
Your medical provider can advise you who may need to be notified about your diagnosis (such as significant other, roommate, or classmates with significant contact, such as lab partner or office mate).
The latest public health recommendation is that an entire class does not routinely need to be notified when an individual from the class is ill with influenza. While influenza is being seen in the community, all individuals should self monitor for flu symptoms and exercise precautions to prevent flu, regardless of whether they know someone with flu.
Discontinue usual socializing, including church, parties, and visiting friends.
If you must go out for essential activities (such as an urgent errand) and will be around others, cover your cough, discard tissues contaminated by coughing or blowing your nose, frequently decontaminate your hands by washing or using hand sanitizer, and consider wearing a mask.
Cover mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing and discard tissue.
Wash your hands after handling respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth.
Remember that "FRIENDS DON'T COUGH ON FRIENDS."
Decontaminate shared items periodically, such as remote controls, refrigerator handles, and doorknobs, and do not share personal items, such as drinks. (Common household cleaners, such as bleach-containing cleaners, Lysol, or other cleaners, such as alcohol-based, should be effective.)
How to Keep From Getting Flu
Stay away from sick people.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after being out in public (handling grocery cart, menu, money, using ATM machine, touching doors).
Do not share personal items, such as drinks.
If you have had known contact with a confirmed or suspected case of influenza, and are considered a person in a high-risk group for influenza-related complications, contact your healthcare provider to consider whether prophylactic anti-viral medication is warranted.
Vaccine is the single most effective way to prevent H1N1 influenza. H1N1 vaccine is available as a shot or nasal spray. A single dose of H1N1 vaccine is all that is required for an adult and is protective within two weeks.
A single dose of seasonal flu vaccine, in addition to H1N1 vaccine, should also be received.
Check this Web site and those listed below frequently for information and updates about H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccine availability.
Until you are protected by vaccination, prevention by avoiding sick people and by cleaning hands frequently is the best recommendation.
