Health Updates: H1N1 Flu

The following information is being provided for our Graduate Faculty, Staff and Students

As most of you are aware, an outbreak of flu-like symptoms has been reported at Wake Forest University on the Reynolda Campus (http://www.wfu.edu/h1n1flu/). As reported, this outbreak includes some confirmed cases of H1N1. Because graduate students and faculty have responsibilities that often span WFU campuses, we want to bring to your attention the resources present at both campuses for being alerted to flu outbreaks and to issue this alert to those of you who regularly travel between campuses. We also wish to keep you apprised of information pertaining to the flu, such as the availability of immunizations for seasonal flu and H1N1 as soon as it becomes available.

The Graduate School reminds you that the symptoms of H1N1 infection includes fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. A web site posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has complete information on this strain of flu, including how it is spread and precautions that you can take, including:

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• 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.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

Other important actions that you can take are:

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and  taking other precautions such as maintaining distance between yourself and possibly infected person.
• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help  you to avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

Useful Links:

• WFU H1N1 information page: http://www.wfu.edu/h1n1flu/
• WFUBMC H1N1 information page: http://infinet.wfubmc.edu/depts/pandemic_flu/default.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guide for H1N1: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guide for Caring for Someone with H1N1: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm
• Link to the story in the Winston-Salem Journal: http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/sep/02/020035/wfu-swine-flu-reports-called-no-cause-for-alarm-mo/