INFLUENZA UPDATE FROM WVU

Two cases of H1N1 Influenza have been confirmed in West Virginia
University students. There is a possibility that large numbers of
students may become ill with either seasonal influenza and/or H1N1
influenza this fall. They are essentially indistinguishable illnesses,
but getting one does not protect you from the other, and getting
vaccinated for one does not protect you from the other. Seasonal Flu
vaccine will be available free to all WVU students at the Student Rec
Center from 3-7 pm on September 28 and October 6. Vaccine for H1N1 is
expected to be available (and free) to WVU students by mid October, and
dates and locations of distribution will be announced once the vaccine
is released by the manufacturer. WELL WVU strongly recommends that all
students protect themselves by receiving both influenza vaccines this
fall. WVU administrators, including housing, dining, faculty, and
student services are all working together to provide for the ongoing
needs of students.

WVU will be following national guidelines set by the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC). The recommendations for preventing influenza
are:

1. Get vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 influenza.

2. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based
sanitizer. (hand sanitizer dispensers are already in place or being
placed in most WVU buildings)

3. COVER YOUR COUGH - with a tissue, then discard. Coughing into your
elbow is recommended if a tissue is not available.

4. Stay at least 6 feet away from anyone who is ill.

5. Eat a balanced diet, drink extra fluids, exercise regularly and get
plenty of sleep.

How to recognize Influenza:

1. fever >100.4˚F

2. sudden onset of illness and body aches

3. congestion, cough, sore throat

What should I do if I think I have the flu?
1. Isolate yourself at home or in your University housing until your
fever is gone for 24 hours.

- Talk to your RA about having meals brought in.
- Talk to your professors about missing class and how to make up work.
Most professors will allow for some absences associated with illness.
- If you are ill wear a mask if you must be around others. (available
at residence halls main desks, Student Health, or local pharmacies).
Students who are well do not need to wear masks.

2. Try to maintain a good diet, but especially drink extra fluid.

3. Take acetaminophen for fever and body aches.

4. Get extra rest

5. Should you come down with the flu, in all likelihood your roommate
has been exposed to the virus. Separating the two of you will not be
effective. If you want to separate yourself from your roommate, you will
need to go home or make arrangements to live someplace else temporarily.
There is not separate WVU housing available to isolate students with the
illness from those are well.

6. Most students with influenza should not go to a health care provider
(increase risk of spreading the illness).

Call Student Health to speak with a nurse (304-293-2311), and determine
if you should come to Student Health if:

- You have an underlying health problem such as asthma, heart or lung
disease, diabetes.
- Are immunocompromised.
- Are not improving in 3-5 days.
- You have any questions or concerns.