H1N1 Flu Information H1N1 Flu Information

Current Phase Level as of

Thursday, 05-Nov-2009 16:44:53 EST

UNC
LEVEL ONE


UNC Chapel Hill is carefully monitoring developments in the cases of the H1N1 influenza virus both in the United States and abroad. This is a constantly evolving situation with more states and nations reporting confirmed cases of the illness. We are working with state and local health departments, UNC Hospitals and other University agencies to coordinate our reponse.

H1N1 Vaccination RegistrationThe University continues to receive the H1N1 vaccine for faculty, staff and students. As expected, due to differences in the manufacturing process, the vaccine shipments received have been primarily the intranasal form of the vaccine rather than the shot. The nasal vaccine is indicated for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.

People who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or an illness that causes their immune system to be suppressed should not receive the nasal form of the vaccine. When the University receives the shot form of the vaccine, it will be administered to people in these groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site includes recommendations for receiving each form of the vaccine.

The University is following CDC recommendations to vaccinate pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk of H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) is holding clinics to administer the nasal form of the vaccine to students, faculty and staff in these target groups. Most people in these groups should be able to receive the nasal vaccine. They can make an appointment to receive the nasal form of the vaccine during any of the eight clinic dates below by going to the EHS Web site registration page.

The following clinics for the nasal form of the vaccine will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • Monday, Nov. 9: Hooker - Lower Level Atrium;
  • Tuesday, Nov. 10: MBRB - 2nd Floor Lobby;
  • Wednesday, Nov. 11: SASB - Upendo;
  • Thursday, Nov. 12: Student Union - Great Hall;
  • Friday, Nov. 13: Giles Horney - Magnolia Room;
  • Monday, Nov. 16: Student Union - Room 2518;
  • Tuesday, Nov. 17: Student Union - Room 2518; and
  • Wednesday, Nov.18: MBRB - 2nd Floor Lobby.

There will be no out-of-pocket expense for students or employees who have the following insurance coverage: the State Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield; Partners; Aetna; Humana Gold; SummaCare; Advantra Freedom; or Medicare Part B. However, you must bring your current insurance card and a photo ID to the clinic. If you are not insured with any of these companies, you can still be vaccinated, but you will have to pay an administrative fee of $12 (cash or check). The fee is paid to an outside health-care agency for the nurses and other staff providing the vaccination service, not to the University.

University health officials have ordered a sufficient quantity of the H1N1 vaccine for all students, faculty and staff who want to be vaccinated. As additional doses of the vaccine arrive, the University will send the campus community details about how and when people can be vaccinated. Be sure to check Alert Carolina for updates about distribution of the H1N1 vaccine and for general information about the H1N1 flu.

High Risk and Symptoms Warning Signs

When to Seek Help:

Generally, people with the flu (the new H1N1 flu, as well as seasonal flu) can manage recovery at home with little or no medical attention. However, certain people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications.

Risk groups

Individuals with certain chronic medical conditions should consult with their health care providers with the onset of flu-like symptoms, or following recent close contact with someone who has the flu. These conditions include:

  • asthma
  • diabetes and other metabolic disorders
  • immune-suppression from medications (cancer drugs, oral steroids), HIV, or other diseases
  • chronic diseases of the heart (not high blood pressure), neuromuscular, lung, liver, or kidney
  • pregnant women
  • adults 65 years and older
  • children younger than five years old
  • persons younger than 19 yrs old who are on chronic aspirin therapy
  • Extreme obesity (Body Mass Index of > 40)
More serious symptoms: a warning sign

People who have the flu and develop any of the following symptoms should call a health care provider without delay for medical advice or attention.

  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • sudden dizziness
  • confusion or change in level of consciousness
  • severe or persistent vomiting
  • severe sore throat, accompanied by swollen glands in your neck
  • flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
  • unidentified rash
  • fever of over 101 degrees lasting for more than three days despite drugs that lower temperature (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen)
What to do if you are ill with a flu-like illness (fever plus cough or sore throat)
  • Do not go to work or attend classes (stay home or in your dorm room)
  • Stay home (or in dorm room) until 24 hours after your fever is gone off of drugs that lower fever (except to seek medical care)
  • Avoid contact with others to the extent possible
  • Take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) for fever
  • Drink plenty of fluids

For University Health-Care Employees

Health care workers who have exposures at home to known or suspected novel H1N1; should take their temperature each day and NOT come to work if they develop a fever with sore throat or cough.

Health care workers who develop a fever at work with a sore throat or cough; should immediately go home.

Health care workers with a fever and cough or sore throat; should remain home for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)) and then may return to work. If they still have respiratory symptoms they should wear a mask while providing patient care until asymptomatic.

Health care workers may work with a cough or other upper respiratory symptoms in all units except Neonatal Critical Care, Pediatric Critical Care and the Bone Marrow Transplant Units: Employees in these units who develop respiratory symptoms even if without a fever should be evaluated by Occupational Health. In other units, healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms without a fever may work provided they wear a mask at all times while proving patient care and practice appropriate hand hygiene.

In the event that a UNC Heath Care employee is exposed to a patient with novel H1N1 (i.e., with 3 feet without wearing a mask); we will offer post-exposure prophylaxis only if the employee is immunocompromised or at high risk for complications it they develop influenza, or pregnant (after consultation with the employee's obstetrician). Such employees should take their temperature before coming to work and not come to work if they develop a fever and/or respiratory symptoms.

Other University Employees

University employees who are well but have a family member at home with H1N1 flu; can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisors and stay home using available leave (sick leave, vacation, bonus leave or flexible furlough program). Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health-care providers for advice/care, including whether they should receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness, before reporting to work.

Persons who are at high risk of complications from novel influenza A (H1N1) infection (for example, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 years or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure if they attend public gatherings in communities where novel influenza A virus is circulating.

Employees who are experiencing an acute respiratory illness with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees along with cough, nasal congestion or sore throat; should not come to work and should stay away from others (self isolate). Those who wish to seek medical care should contact their health care provider to report illness by telephone or other remote means before seeking care. If persons with these symptoms must leave their home (for example, to seek medical care or other necessities), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful for persons who have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well. They should stay home from work, school and any community gatherings for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)) using available leave (sick leave, vacation, bonus leave or flexible furlough program).

University Students

Students who are well but have a family member or roommate at home with H1N1 flu; can go to school as usual. They should monitor their health every day, and if they become ill they should stay home.

Students who are ill with fever and respiratory symptoms; should call the Campus Health Services main appointment number at 966-2281 for advice, instruction and to schedule an appointment.

(If students with these symptoms leave their dorm/home to seek medical care or other necessities, they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful for persons who have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well.

Students should use the resources posted on the Campus Health Services Web site to find information about symptoms and what to do to prevent contracting the virus. General recommendations include staying home from work, school and any community gatherings for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)).

Event Levels

UNC event levels are not automatically changed when the WHO Phases change, but take into consideration many issues directly related to health and safety at the state and community level.

UNC utilizes the data and information from the World Health Organization, the U.S. Government Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Division of Public Health, the Orange County Public Health Department, Campus Health Services, and the UNC Health Care System to make decisions regarding any changes in the UNC Event Levels.

UNC Event Level One: Minimal hazard to students, faculty and staff. Can be resolved with minimal outside agency assistance. International travel advisories begin.

UNC Actions at Level One: Intense planning and preparation. None to limited UNC cases/local cases.

H1N1 Vaccine Distribution Update: October 19, 2009

UNC Health Care has received a very limited shipment of the H1N1 vaccine and has vaccinated some health-care employees. The University also expects to receive a partial shipment at any time over the next two weeks. Enough vaccine has been ordered to support all the students and employees who want it. When the vaccine arrives, the University will notify the campus community with details about how and when they can be vaccinated.

People working in health-care settings with direct patient contact will be among the first to receive the vaccine.

The information also will be posted on Alert Carolina and the Department of Environment, Health and Safety's Web site.

Resources

Alert CarolinaPlease use these resources for more information about symptoms, H1N1 Flu (swine origin) activity, and what you can do to prevent contracting the virus.

For more information about university travel policy and pandemic planning, please visit these resources:

This information is being continually updated.

11/25/09.

Copyright © 2009 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill