Influenza A (H1N1) Virus is a new virus that causes illness in people. Unlike the common cold, which comes on gradually, influenza — whether seasonal flu or H1N1 flu — comes on strong and fast.
"That's one of the best ways to tell the difference between the common cold and the flu," said Health Services Director Barb Nash. "With a cold, symptoms come on slowly, and you're still able to get through your day. With the flu, you'll may feel fine in the morning, but feel like you've been hit by a truck by the end of the day."
They key is, Nash said, if you have a fever, go home. Don't go around other people and stay home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours. If you feel like you need medical attention, contact your health care provider.
One of the best ways to avoid getting sick is to minimize the spread of germs. Proper hand-washing is key. Capital has placed hand-sanitizer stations in the lobbies of all campus buildings. Use them frequently. Sanitizing wipes also are available to all university offices and classrooms. Contact your maintenance associate or call 236-6211 to have some delivered to your office or to request a refill.
Below is a link to some frequently asked questions about Influenza A (H1N1) Virus, including signs and symptoms, what to do if you get sick, when to avoid the public, and when to seek medical attention, along with some other helpful resources. The answers to these questions were gathered from a variety of sources, including the Ohio Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Flu.gov, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is Influenza A (H1N1) Virus?
Influenza A (H1N1) Virus is a new influenza virus that causes illness in people. It was first detected in April 2009 and has spread to many countries around the world. In July 2009, the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 virus a pandemic, meaning there is widespread human illness. There is no vaccine available for the pandemic H1N1 virus at this time. The best way to protect yourself is to practice frequent and thorough hand washing.
How is H1N1 flu different from seasonal flu?
Seasonal flu
Certain strains of influenza occur annually and should not be confused with pandemic flu. These “seasonal” viruses cause the high fevers, coughs and chills familiar to all Ohioans, especially between December and April, which is the state’s peak period of seasonal flu activity. It is usually spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. Flu season in Ohio can begin as early as October and run as late as May.
Influenza is different from the common cold. It usually begins suddenly and can put you in bed for a number of days. Most people who get seasonal influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people can develop very serious illnesses such as pneumonia, be hospitalized or die. Very young children, people age 65 years and older and people with chronic medical problems are most at risk of serious illness. The best way to protect yourself is to get a vaccination.
Pandemic flu
Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus appears or emerges in the human population and causes a global outbreak of the disease, resulting in serious illness as it spreads from person to person. Flu pandemics have occurred naturally throughout history.
Pandemics are unpredictable and it is hard to know when one will occur, what type of flu it will be and how severe it will be. Pandemics can occur anytime, symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent than seen with seasonal flu. A flu pandemic could disrupt some parts of daily life, and limit the amount of health care and other services available. Gatherings of people might be limited to control the spread of the disease (schools and businesses may close, sporting events could be cancelled and transportation could be limited). Additionally, hospitals could be overloaded if doctors and nurses are sick. There also may be more people with the flu than hospitals can treat. In this case, some people would need to be cared for in their homes or other places.
H1N1 virus
The pandemic H1N1 virus is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in April 2009, and has spread to many countries around the world. In July 2009, the World Health Organization declared the H1N1 virus a pandemic, meaning there is widespread human illness.
How does H1N1 flu spread?
Spread of this H1N1 flu is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. People also may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
Can I get vaccinated?
Capital has pre-registered with the Ohio Health Department to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. Read more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about H1N1 vaccine planning distribution. When Capital gets the vaccine, it will be administered by Health Services in collaboration with the local public health department.
Seasonal flu vaccine is expected to arrive on campus in late September and will be available to students, faculty and staff. Please watch the Daily Sheet for information about cost and scheduling an appointment to receive the seasonal flu vaccine.
How can I keep from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 flu. The best way to avoid getting sick is to take steps to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Follow these tips to avoid the spread of germs:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Talk to your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated. If you want protection from the flu, get vaccinated for seasonal flu. If you are at higher risk for flu complications from H1N1 flu, consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and
people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. Get more information about priority groups for vaccination.
- If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1 flu?
Symptoms of H1N1 flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu. They include:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- body aches
- headache
- chills
- fatigue
(A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius when taken with a thermometer.)
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with H1N1 flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with H1N1 flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products (e.g., bismuth subsalicylate – Pepto Bismol) if you have or think you have H1N1 flu because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome.
Students
If you're a student living on campus and you have a fever:
- Return to your parents' or guardians' home immediately.
- Contact your health care provider if you think you need treatment.
- Notify your RA that you are ill and have left campus. Or, just fill out the online form to report your flu-related absence.
- Contact your faculty members and make arrangements to make up missed class time and/or assignments.
- Do not return to campus until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
- When you have returned to campus, notify your RA and faculty members.
If you are unable to go home, Capital has designated space near campus as temporary housing for students who have suspected cases of H1N1 flu. You will be asked to check in with your RA daily, and food, beverages, television and wireless service will be provided. Call Student Affairs at 236-6611 to make arrangements.
If you're a commuter student and you have a fever:
- Return to your parents' or guardians' home immediately.
- Contact your health care provider if you think you need treatment.
- Notify Student Affairs at 614-236-6611 that you are ill and have left campus. Or, just fill out the online form to report your flu-related absence.
- Contact your faculty members and make arrangements to make up missed class time and/or assignments.
- Do not return to campus until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
- When you have returned to campus, notify Student Affairs and your faculty members.
If you are a student in a graduate or degree-completion program and you have a fever:
- Return home immediately.
- Contact your health care provider if you think you need treatment.
- Contact the director of your program to let them know you are ill and have left campus. Or, just fill out the online form to report your flu-related absence. Law School JD students should contact Jennifer DiSanza, assistant dean of Student Administration at 614-236-6402 or studentaffairs@law.capital.edu. Paralegal/LNC/LCP/Graduate Tax and Business Law/Dispute Resolution students should contact Donna Schoebel, director, at 614-236-6444 or dschoebel@law.capital.edu.
- Contact your faculty members and make arrangements to make up missed class time and/or assignments.
- Do not return to campus until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
- When you have returned to campus, notify your program director and faculty members.
Employees
If you're an employee and you have a fever:
- Return home immediately.
- Contact your health care provider if you think you need treatment.
- Contact your supervisor and the Human Resources Office to report your illness and absence from work. Or, just fill out the online form to report your flu-related absence.
- Do not return to work until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
What is the sick-leave policy for employees who miss work because of suspected H1N1 flu?
Capital employees unable to report to work due to illness related to H1N1 flu may use accrued sick leave as an excused absence if the university remains open. Support staff members who have exhausted their sick leave may access their short-term reserve leave. If an employee does not have accrued sick leave or short-term reserve leave, he or she also may use available personal leave or vacation time. If no time is available to the employee, days missed will be without pay.
If the university is closed or delayed, individuals would not be expected to take sick, vacation or personal leave.