WAU Guidelines for H1N1 Influenza

02 October 2009

The H1N1 virus is a form of influenza that is highly contagious is not “covered” by this year’s flu shot. The H1N1 virus spreads in the same way that seasonal flu spreads – primarily from person-to-person contact and through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. You may also be infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.

H1N1 Symptoms

• H1N1 presents like any seasonal flu. INITIAL SYMPTOMS of the flu include:
• A fever over 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), AND
• A cough, sore throat, runny nose, or stuffiness.

You should be more seriously concerned if you have the following WARNING SIGNS:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting

If You Are Experiencing Flu Symptoms

Residential Students

• Notify the Residence Hall dean on duty that you are feeling ill. Your dean will take your temperature and guide your next steps.
• If you have a fever over 100 degrees F, please do NOT leave the residence hall unless directed to do so by the dean.
• Notify your teachers—they will work with you using email and D2L.
• Return to classes only when you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours.
• Please note: If you are experiencing one or more of the WARNING SIGNS listed above, please go directly to the WAH Emergency Room. Once your symptoms are under control, please notify the residence hall dean on duty of your status.

Community Students

• Stay home. If you have a fever over 100 degrees F please do NOT come to campus.
• Notify your teachers—they will work with you using email and D2L.
• If you work on campus, notify your supervisor.
• Seek medical treatment from your personal physician.
• Notify WAU Health Services if a physician confirms that you have contracted the H1N1 virus.
• Return to classes only when you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours.

Faculty & Staff

• Stay home and notify your supervisor.
• Seek medical treatment from your personal physician.
• Notify WAU Health Services if a physician confirms that you have contracted the H1N1 virus.
• Return to work only when you’ve been fever-free for 24 hours.

H1N1 Prevention

You can minimize any risk of catching or spreading the virus by:

• Washing your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing, and wiping or blowing the nose
• Coughing or sneezing into the crook of your arm (not your hand)
• Using paper tissues when wiping or blowing your nose; throwing tissues away immediately after use
• Staying away from crowded living and sleeping spaces, if possible
• Staying home and avoiding contact with other people to protect them from catching your illness.
• Wiping down common study/work spaces, doorknobs, etc., with a household disinfectant.

Although the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against H1N1 flu, getting a seasonal flu shot is recommended. At this time, the vaccine to protect humans from H1N1 flu has not yet been released.

For more information on the H1N1 flu, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website.

WAU’s Response to H1N1

Should cases of H1N1 flu be documented at Washington Adventist University, the administration is dedicated to taking every measure necessary to halt the spread of infection on campus.

The University has already implemented a plan that includes the ongoing sanitization of common areas, classrooms, restrooms, and locker rooms. Health Services and the Residence Halls have stocked a supply of hand sanitizer, tissue, and facemasks to further prevent the spread of infection.

Should a residential student be found to have the flu, the student’s room, the shower room on that hall, and common areas on the floor will be sanitized. Where possible, the student will be asked to recover at home. Students showing serious symptoms will be accompanied to the Emergency Room at neighboring Washington Adventist Hospital.

Any student or employee who is documented as having contracted the H1N1 virus is encouraged to notify WAU Health Services so that we may implement further measures to ensure the health and wellbeing of the Learning Community.

If you have any questions about WAU’s response to H1N1, please contact the Office of Student Life and Retention, at  301-891-4110  301-891-4110 .

Important Numbers

Health Services:  301-891-4009

Halcyon Hall Desk:  301-891-4174

Morrison Hall Desk:  301-891-4043

Dr. Ho, Campus Physician:  301-891-6100

Safety & Security:  301-891-4019

Student Life & Retention:  301-891-4110