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H1N1 Influenza Update

Last Modified 03/19/10

H1N1 information and case update

H1N1 is a new strain of influenza A. Since it is a new strain, the vaccine received for traditional flu will not protect a person from getting this flu. Cases of H1N1 have been reported in Charleston County, the State of South Carolina, throughout the United States, and internationally. Symptoms have ranged from mild and not requiring a visit to a medical provider to severe symptoms requiring medical care.

Student Health Services has diagnosed and treated several individuals with H1N1 influenza. As individuals are diagnosed, Student Health Services is following recognized public health guidelines about treatment, isolation to prevent spread of the infection to others, and notification of contacts.

H1N1 has components of swine, avian, and human flu. The term "swine flu" that was initially used has been replaced by H1N1. A person does not get H1N1 by being around pigs or by eating pork.

Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza may include fever over 100 degrees, cough, sore throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How flu is spread

Person to Person: By direct contact with respiratory droplets, such as kissing or sharing a drink or by respiratory droplets when the infected person coughs or sneezes. This sends droplets through the air that can be deposited in the mouth or nose of a well person nearby, as much as 6 feet away.
From Contaminated Objects to Person: When a well person touches something that is contaminated by flu droplets, and the contaminated hands are brought to the mouth, nose, or eyes. (Flu virus can survive minutes to hours on surfaces.)

Incubation period

Incubation period from exposure to developing symptoms is usually within 7 days.

Period when contagious

CDC now recommends that those with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If you are ill

If you develop symptoms suspicious for flu, contact your medical provider for advice or to arrange a visit. Make a Student Health Services appointment by calling 843.953.5520.

Individuals with a mild case might choose to self-treat and not see a medical provider. Those who see a medical provider might be diagnosed based on symptoms and have no testing. Sometimes flu testing might be done.

Student Health Services offers a rapid flu test that can distinguish Influenza A from Influenza B. The H1N1 Influenza is caused by a strain of Influenza A. The rapid flu test may be positive when there is flu infection, but there is no guarantee that the rapid flu test will be positive even if a person has the flu.

Remember that there are many illnesses with symptoms similar to influenza that are not influenza at all. For example, a common cold or allergies can cause nasal symptoms and cough. If you have questions about your symptoms or feel you need to be seen because of symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Treatment

Anti-viral medication, such as Tamiflu and Relenza, might not be necessary for all patients with H1N1 infection, such as those with mild symptoms.
Monitor temperature and treat fever. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen are two medications commonly used to treat fever and body aches.
Over-the-counter throat lozenges, cough syrups, or cough drops are sometimes used.
Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial complications, such as pneumonia or ear infection.
Prescription cough medication is sometimes given for severe cough.
Get extra rest and extra fluids.
Those with confirmed or suspected Influenza A H1N1 virus infection should stay at home. CDC now recommends that those with flu-like illness stay home until at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, without using fever-reducing medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

How to keep from spreading flu if you are ill and how to notify contacts

Students who are told to self-isolate should contact instructors by phone or e-mail to make them aware that they will be away from class and should discuss with instructor how to keep up with assignments. Remember that you may be too ill to study or be productive academically while you are recovering from the flu.
Contact your employer to let them know you will be away from work.
Your medical provider can advise you about which individuals need to be notified about your diagnosis (such as significant other, roommate, or classmates).
Discontinue usual socializing, including church, parties, and visiting friends.
If you must go out for essential activities (such as an urgent errand) and will be around others, cover your cough, discard tissues contaminated by coughing or blowing your nose, frequently decontaminate your hands by washing or using hand sanitizer, and consider wearing a mask.
Cover mouth or nose when coughing or sneezing and discard tissue.
Wash your hands after handling respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth.
Remember that "FRIENDS DON'T COUGH ON FRIENDS."
Decontaminate shared items periodically, such as remote controls, refrigerator handles, and doorknobs, and do not share personal items, such as drinks. (Common household cleaners, such as bleach-containing cleaners, Lysol, or other cleaners, such as alcohol-based, should be effective.)

How to keep from getting flu

Stay away from sick people.
Wash hands or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially after being out in public (handling grocery cart, money, using ATM machine, touching doors).
Do not share personal items, such as drinks.
If you have had known contact with a confirmed or suspected case of influenza, contact your healthcare provider to consider whether prophylactic anti-viral medication is warranted.
An effective vaccine for H1N1 has been developed and is slowly becoming available. Student Health Services’ initial shipment of 100 doses was given to those who were at the highest risk. Definitive dates for when more vaccine will arrive are not available at this time.
Until a vaccine is available, prevention by avoiding sick people and by washing hands is the best recommendation.