If You Get H1N1

The following advisory was sent to Colorado State University students this afternoon:

To: CSU Students

From: Jane Higgins, M.D., CSU Health Network

Subject: If you get H1N1

August 28, 2009

There has been a lot of talk this fall about H1N1 and the importance
of getting ready. While this flu might not cause a more severe
illness than typical seasonal flu, there are valid reasons for the
increased concern and we hope you’ll take a few minutes to learn
about them. This is a lengthy email, but please take a moment to
read it – it provides valuable information about what you should do
if you develop flu-like symptoms.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHY H1N1 FLU IS IMPORTANT TO YOU:
Health officials believe H1N1 flu will cause more illnesses than flu
strains in previous years. We’ll also still experience the ‘regular’
seasonal flu, so coupled, these two sources of the flu could impact
a fairly high number of students and employees at CSU. It’s likely
that health resources will be stretched somewhat thin, so it’s
especially important that students know how to get prepared for this
flu season and how to take care of themselves if they do get sick.
Health officials estimate that as many as 30 percent of the
population will be absent from day-to-day activities because of flu
this season.

Health officials also continue to be concerned that H1N1 might
change and cause illnesses that are more severe than what people are
experiencing now. It is unusual that we’re already seeing so many
cases of the flu this time of year – with several probable H1N1
cases across campus already. This provides more opportunity for the
H1N1 virus to change or combine with the regular seasonal flu and
become more serious.

THE UNIVERSITY’S RESPONSE:
At this time, government officials do not recommend that the
university suspend classes if there are a large number of flu cases
on campus. The university has a plan in place to address a severe
flu season. The plan is at www.safety.colostate.edu.

You’ll need to read emails from the university in a timely fashion
and visit www.safety.colostate.edu frequently for any updates to the
university’s recommendations related to flu.

COMMUNICATE WITH THE UNIVERSITY IF YOU GET THE FLU:
If you think you have the flu, keep in contact with your instructors
and advisors. Let them know you are ill BEFORE your big test or
assignment is due. If you live on-campus, notify a housing employee
such as your Residence Hall Advisor so that arrangements can be made
to keep your roommate healthy and to bring you food so you don’t
have to leave your room.

The university is working on an online system to help you report
your illness and notify your instructors more easily. The system is
expected to be completed by Friday, Sept. 4, and available through
RamWeb.

When this system becomes available, if you feel ill with flu-like
symptoms, you will be able to log onto RamWeb and fill out the flu
reporting page. This system will document your illness in order to
help the university keep track of ill students and notify your
instructors of your illness. This website will help give you
guidance about severity of symptoms and your options. Your response
on this website will help expedite the process of being able to make
academic arrangements for missed work. Faculty members will require
the illness verification from this website so they can work with you
on rescheduling exams or other make-up work. Through the website,
faculty will receive a case number documenting your illness and will
be able to verify that illness with the university. It is important
that you finish all of the steps on the website so that the
documentation is completed. You also should revisit the site when
you are well and log the information that you are able to attend
classes again.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE WITH H1N1:
Most of the symptoms of H1N1 flu are identical to symptoms of the
seasonal flu. Those symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, runny or
stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. People
infected with H1N1 flu virus may also have diarrhea and vomiting.

Some college-aged people who get this flu may become ill enough to
be hospitalized. We know that if you get H1N1, there is a strong
chance that you’ll feel miserable for 5 to 7 days, and we want you
to know how to take care of yourself and when to go to the doctor.

If you have the flu, try to isolate yourself from others – such as
your roommates – as much as possible. For more advice about getting
through the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm. Most
students will not need to see a doctor during their illness. Those
with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, immunosuppression
or asthma, should consult their doctor if they think they have flu.

If you have any of the following danger signs, you should call the
CSU Health Network at (970) 491-7121 as soon as possible or dial 911
if you think you need immediate emergency help:
- You become short of breath while resting or doing very little;
- You are coughing up bloody sputum;
- You are wheezing;
- You have had a fever for three or four days and you are not
getting better – or you may be getting worse;
- You and others notice that you are extremely drowsy and difficult
to wake up or that you are disoriented or confused;
- You have extreme pain in your ear;
- You are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down.

If you are caring for someone with the flu, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm for more
information about how to protect yourself and others.

BE READY FOR H1N1 FLU:
The Centers for Disease Control recommend that you:
- Buy a thermometer. A fever is a temperature of more than 99.6
degrees. If you have the flu, you need to stay away from other
people until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without
taking fever-reducing medicines.
- Off-campus students should store two weeks of food in their home,
if possible. Stock up so you have enough food to get through the flu
if you don’t feel well enough to get to the store. Don’t forget to
store enough food for your pets as well.
- Have some fluids with electrolytes, such as sports drinks, on
hand.
- Keep an adequate supply of regular prescription drugs.
- Keep some basic health supplies on hand such as over-the-counter
cold and flu medicine, pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough
medicine and hand sanitizer.
- Have cleaning supplies, especially bleach or cleaners containing
bleach.

The University also is recommending that students prepare for the
flu by getting a “flu buddy.” You and your buddy should check in on
and help the other if one of you is ill. You might want to have your
buddy help you to report your illness on the online system.

The best defense against the flu is to wash your hands frequently
with soap and water, cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue,
avoid touching your face, avoid people who are sick and stay home if
think you have the flu. The best way to prevent flu is to get a flu
shot. Seasonal flu shots will be available in early September; H1N1
shots will be available to priority groups in late October. Shots
will be available to students in several locations around campus.
For more information, check the CSU Health Network website at
http://www.health.colostate.edu/.