Health & Wellness Services
H1N1 Influenza (Swine Flu)

Letter to Parents (en Espanol)
Letter to Students
General Information
Prevention
If you do get sick
Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care

 

General Information

There are some key points we know so far about this flu outbreak.

1. Influenza or the flu is a respiratory illness. It is spread person to person through coughing and sneezing of infected people. Both colds and flu are caused by a virus. Antibiotics (medicines like Amoxil and Zithromax) do not work on viruses. There are ways to treat the symptoms of the flu until you are over the illness.
2. At this time, the H1N1 influenza virus does not appear to make people any sicker than the influenza virus’s we normally see every year.
3. Because this is a new virus, more people may become ill than is normally seen during flu season.
4. Women who are pregnant and people who have a chronic medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung problems, kidney disease, or are immune-compromised (HIV, cancer, etc.), have a greater risk of complications from this new flu virus or any flu virus. People who have these conditions should let their health care provider know they have the symptoms of the flu as soon as possible. There is medication to decrease the severity of the flu if you have a chronic medical condition. This medication works best if you take it within the first two days of becoming sick.

You can find more information about the H1N1 flu at the CDC website.

Prevention

Top Five Things you can do to stay healthy

1. Wash your hands frequently
2. Use alcohol based sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands
3. Avoid touching your face
4. Avoid people who are sick
5. Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses / bottles, towels, or other personnel care items

If you do get sick

• Do not go out in public – help keep others from getting sick
• Wash your hands frequently
• Cough in a tissue and throw it in the garbage, then wash your hands
• Cough in your elbow if you don’t have tissue
• Don’t touch your face – wash your hands if you do touch your face

Symptoms

• Suddenly appears and hits hard
• Feelings of being weak and tired (can be extreme and last 2-3 weeks)
• High-to-moderate fever (101° F.) accompanied with chills (usually lasts 3-4 days)
• Sore throat, dry cough, and runny nose
• Often severe muscle aches, severe headaches, some eye pain
• Vomiting and diarrhea can occur but is most common in children

Symptoms of a cold are similar but not as severe as the flu

Treating Symptoms

• CDC web site on "What to do if you get Symptoms"
• CDC web site on "Home Care Guidance: Physician Directions to Patient/Parent"

Staying Home

If you have symptoms of the flu, do not go out in public, such as to work or school, shopping, to the movies, out with friends, or to church. Basically stay in your room or home. It may get boring but you will be protecting others from the flu.

The CDC recommends: Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.

Consider staying home if you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition and the local health department has announced there are a significant number of flu cases in the community. Pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions have a greater risk of complications from the flu.

Over the Counter Medications

When taking over the counter medicines for cough, runny nose, fever, be sure to follow package directions. Many over the counter cold and flu medications have multiple drugs in them. Read the labels and make sure you are not taking too much of any one drug, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil).

Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or products that contain aspirin (e.g. bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) to children or teenagers 18 years old or younger. These medications increase the risk of Reyes Syndrome, which is a rare, severe illness that can follow a viral illness. More information on Reyes Syndrome.

Chills and Fever

• Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, sports drinks, clear soups and broths.
• No drinks with caffeine.
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) OR ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every four to six hours. Follow package directions. Do not take aspirin.
• Rest
• Notify your health care provider if your fever is over 101° for more than three days.

Cough and Runny Nose

• Over the counter cough and cold medicines may be helpful. Follow package directions.
• Avoid activities that cause coughing.
• Do not smoke or be around smoke.
• Use a cool mist humidifier.
• Notify your health care provider if you have trouble breathing, your chest feels tight, or you are wheezing.

Sore Throat

• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) OR ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every four to six hours. Follow package directions. Do not take aspirin.
• Warm salt water gargles – a pinch of salt in a large glass of warm water.
• Use a cool mist humidifier.
• Limit talking and yelling.

Body aches and Headache

• These are common with a fever.
• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) OR ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) every four to six hours. Follow package directions. Do not take aspirin.
• Drink plenty of clear fluids such as water, sports drinks, clear soups and broths.
• Rest

Vomiting and Diarrhea

• Take frequent sips of clear liquids, every 5-10 minutes.
• Water, Gatorade or other sports drinks,
• Diluted chicken, beef or vegetable broth
• Popsicles, slurpees, ice chips, Jello
• Homemade electrolyte / fluid replacement recipe:
• 2 quarts water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt,
• 7 tablespoons of sugar
• May add 1 packet Sugar-Free drink mix
• Store in the refrigerator. Make homemade popsicles or ice cubes for variety
• Avoid eating solid food for 24 hours.
• After 24 hours eat bananas, rice, applesauce, dry toast.
• Avoid milk products, eggs, and meat.
• Notify your health care provider if you are:
• Unable to keep sips of fluids down,
• Dizzy when standing up
• Not urinating

When to seek medical care

• Are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition (asthma, heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, HIV, cancer, etc.)
• Having trouble breathing, shortness of breath, chest feels tight, or wheezing
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Have a fever over 101° for more than 3 days or fever does not come down with Tylenol or ibuprofen
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

There is medication to decrease the severity of the flu if you are pregnant or have a chronic medical condition. This medication works best if you take it within the first two days of becoming sick.

More information from the CDC

Disinfecting Work Spaces

The flu virus may remain infectious on surfaces for up to eight hours. To reduce the spread of the flu virus, disinfect commonly-touched hard surfaces in the workplace, such as work stations, countertops, and door knobs with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.

CDC workplace guidance regarding the flu

Face Mask and Respirator Use

It is unknown how well face masks and respirators can protect people from the flu. The CDC suggests that people with flu symptoms wear face masks if they are going to be out in public, for example at a health care providers office.

Practicing good prevention is more important than wearing a mask.

Use of N95 respirator masks are recommended for health care workers in close contact with people with flu symptoms.

CDC recommendations on face masks and N95 respirator use

Tips for Staying Healthy

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water OR use alcohol-based hand cleaners.
• Avoid touching your face (eyes, mouth, nose). Germs are spread this way.
• Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. And wash your hands.
• Keep your distance (at least 6 feet) from people who are sick.
• Do not share eating utensils, drinking glasses / bottles, towels, or other personnel care items.
• Get enough sleep. Some people require only 6-7 hours of sleep while most need at least 8 hours.
• Alleviate Stress. Stress can lower your immune system.
• Eat healthy. Follow the food pyramid. Generally eat at least 3 vegetables and 2 fruits a day.
• Exercise on a regular basis 5 times a week.
• Get a Flu shot. Flu shots are an important help in preventing the flu.