Information About Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Sick Policy & Sicknote Policy

In response to the Novel H1N1 Pandemic SF State SHS is following the CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year.

The CDC recommends that Universities do NOT require a doctor’s note to confirm illness or recovery and the SF State SHS will not be issuing doctor’s notes, sick notes or “excuses” for Flu Like Illnesses.

This change in policy will decrease the spread of Flu Like Illnesses to students seeking treatment for other injuries or illnesses. If you are asked for a sick note please print out a copy of the SF State H1N1 Sick Note memo for the employer or faculty member requesting the sick note.

Background Information

The WHO announce on June 11th, 2009 that the outbreak of H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) is now a Pandemic.
In the US and Canada H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) the symptoms have been similar to the usual seasonal influenza symptoms.
In the USA patients have had symptoms of an influenza like illness disease (Fever 37.8C or 100 F, and a cough and / or sore throat) for about a week.Some patients have had diarrhea.
Most fit and healthy patients in the USA have recovered without the need for medical evaluation, treatment or specific antiviral medications.
Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) is a new type of Influenza A disease and the Centers for Disease Control and other Public Health Departments believe it is important that individuals and communities to take some simple precautions.

Quick Facts

Novel H1N1 Influenza is now the most common type of Influenza in the US and California.
Influenza Like Illness (ILI) is defined as fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater) and a cough and/or a sore throat in the absence of a KNOWN cause other than influenza.
H1N1 Testing is limited and is being prioritized for hospitalized individuals with specific symptoms.
As Novel H1N1 Influenza is prevalent throughout the US most cases of ILI will be assumed to be Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu).
Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) has an incubation period of 1 – 7 days.
You cannot catch H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) from pork.
Map of Current Influenza Activity in USA

Hand Washing and Cough Etiquette

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) and Seasonal Influenza are spread by:

Unclean hands
Coughing or sneezing

To help stop the spread of germs, clean your hands frequently (every half hour) and after coughing and sneezing.

Wash with soap and water.
Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner(>60%).
Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeeze.
If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not into your hands.
Put your used tissue in a waste basket.

Practice good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutrious food.

Stay Home and Stay Away From Classes When Sick (Flu-like Illness)

Stay home or in your dorm room.
Stay away from classes, labs, library, parties etc and limit your interactions with other people (“self-isolation”), until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines.

Stay away from others during this time period even if you are taking antiviral drugs

Get Ready, Be Prepared

Prepare for Home Care / Dorm Care
Buy a thermometer, stock up on hand sanitizers (>60% alcohol), cleaning materials, tissues, and over-th-counter medicines.
Establish a “flu buddy plan” so that you and your buddies can support one another if any of you becomes ill.
If you live in Housing check up with your floor or section Resident Assistant (RA), Community Assistant (CA) or the Residential Life about Housing's comprehensive nH1N1 plan.

Medical Care and Self Care

If you are ill with a cough and fever:

Do not go to college or work.
Stay at home - Self Isolate at home.
Self Isolate in dorm room.
Stay in your dorm room and notify your floor or section Resident Assistant (RA), Community Assistant (CA) or the Residential Life .
Residential Life will co-ordinate the delivery of food to your dorm room.
Keep in contact with Residential Life, your buddies and your professors via e-mail, text messages and phone calls.
SF Housing (Residential Life) will make simple (aka surgical or procedure) masks available for people who are sick.
SF Housing (Residential Life) will co-ordinate the delivery of meals to your dorm room.
If you share a dorm room you should advise your roommates and wear a face (aka surgical or procedure) mask at all times when uninfected people are around you (within 6 feet).
People who are mildly sick do not need to see a healthcare provider or get tested for nH1N1 Flu.
nH1N1 Testing is limited and is being prioritized for hospitalized individuals with specific symptoms and signs.

If you must go into the community (e.g. to seek medical care) wear a simple face (aka surgical or procedure) mask.
Do not visit the Student Health Center or orther medical facility to obtain a "sick note" - these are not required for H1N1 Swine Flu absences.
Stay well hydrated - water, sports drinks, rehydration solutions.
Take Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Ibuprofen as recommended on packaging to ease aches and lower your temperature.
Monitor your temperature at least twice a day.

Patients who have been exposed to H1N1 Flu or have symptoms of H1N1 AND are at high risk for complications of influenza or who have symptoms or signs of Novel H1N1 Influenza that may indicate a more serious infection should immediately seek care from the SHS or other healthcare provider:

If you have a Flu-like illness and visit the Student Health Services you will immediately be given a simple face (aka surgical or procedure) mask to wear in order to help protect others.

Symptoms or Signs Which May Indicate Severe Disease Associated With Novel H1N1 Influenza.

Patients who have any of the following should promptly seek care from the SHS or other healthcare provide:-

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest.
Dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea
Severe or persistent vomiting
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Shaking chills
Are severely ill
Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

Groups at High Risk For Complications of Influenza Including Novel H1N1 Influenza.

Patients at high risk for complications of Influenza include those who:

Have chronic lung disease such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or cystic fibrosis.
Have heart disease.
Have chronic kidney disease.
Have diabetes or another chronic metabolic disorder.
Have any condition that can compromise the respiratory system.
Have severe anemia.
Have diseases including HIV infection or are on medicies eg. chronic steroid or cancer chemotherapy that depress immunity.
Pregnant
Persons 18 yearsor younger receiving chronic aspirin therapy.

Thermometers and How to Take Your Temperature.

Thermometers
There are many three main types of thermometers – digital thermometers, disposable thermometers and ear (tympanic) thermometers excluding the old fashioned glass thermometers which contain mercury.

Digital Thermometers have a display window and an on/off button at one end and a temperature sensor at the other end.
These thermometers are designed for oral (under tongue) use, underarm (armpit or axillary) use or rectal use.
Digital thermometers are available online and from most pharmacies.
Omron is one of the major digital thermometer manufacturers – please see instructions for use.

Disposable Thermometers are thin plastic strips with a matrix of colored dots (usually blue) each labeled with a specific temperature.
These thermometers are designed for oral (under tongue) use and underarm (armpit or axillary) use.
3M Tempa Dot is one of the commonest disposable thermometers – please see instructions for use.

Ear (Tympanic) Thermometers are more expensive and are more difficult to self administer.

Old Fashioned Glass Thermometers containing mercury are not recommended.

Body Temperature & Fever

A normal temperature is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Centigrade (°C).
An underarm (armpit or axillary) temperature is 0.5 - 1.0 °F (0.3 - 0.6°C) lower than an oral temperature.
An ear (tympanic) temperature reading is 0.5 - 1.0 °F (0.3 - 0.6°C) higher than an oral temperature.
A fever is a temperature of 100 °F ( 37.8°C).

How to Take Your Oral Temperature

Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold for 10 minutes before taking your oral temperature.
Place the thermometer under your tongue, just to one side of the mid line, and close your lips tightly around the thermometer.
Leave the thermometer in place for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer (usually 1 to 3 minutes).