• H1N1 Flu - General FAQs
   
     
     
     
     
  
 

H1N1 Virus - General FAQs

What is H1N1 (Swine Flu)?

H1N1 (swine flu) is a type of influenza (flu) that causes respiratory disease that can spread between people. Most people infected with this virus in the United States have had mild disease, but some have had more serious illness, usually in people with underlying serious medical conditions. Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, and people on immunosuppressant drugs or with HIV/AIDS may be at higher risk for complications from this infection.


What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to symptoms of the regular seasonal flu and include:

  • Fever (>100°F) *some people do not register a fever but feel very warm, have chills or a flushed appearance, or are sweating.)
  • Cough
  • Sore Throat
  • Runny Nose/congestion
  • Body/muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Chills and fatigue
  • Occasionally vomiting and diarrhea


How is H1N1 spread from person to person?

H1N1 is spread the same way as other flu viruses, through coughing or sneezing of a sick person or when a person touches something contaminated with the virus and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. However, the virus does not live for long outside the body.


Is there a vaccine for H1N1?

A vaccine is being tested but will not be available until sometime in the fall 2009. For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm


How to keep from spreading H1N1:

Here are some simple things you can do to protect yourself and others from flu germs:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers can also be used.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from people who are sick
  • Sick people should stay home from school and away from other people until they are fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours
  • In communities where H1N1 has occurred, stay away from bars, shopping malls, movie theatres, or other places where there are large groups of people


What to do if you think you have the flu?

*Most people with H1N1 flu do not need to seek medical care and can use common self-care methods

  • Please stay at home, do not go to class or use public transportation for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever.
  • If you live within 30 miles from campus, you will be sent home until recovery. Otherwise, you will be ask to avoid contact with other students until then.
  • At home, wear a surgical mask and stay at least 6 feet away from others.
  • Drink plenty of fluids and get rest
  • For fever, sore throat, and muscle aches, use fever reducing medicines such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Aleve.
  • Your health care provider may prescribe an antiviral drug. There are currently two antiviral drugs that H1N1 virus is sensitive to: Tamiflu© and Relenza©

Visit the Goucher College Student H1N1 FAQ page for further information about the flu on campus: http://www.goucher.edu/x37020.xml


When to seek urgent medical care:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness or confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough


Helpful links for more information:


For medical advice, contact the Goucher College Health Center: 410-337-6050 or your health care provider