Employee Response to Flu-Like Symptoms
Personal responsibility for self-care and self-isolation will be important with the H1N1 flu:
- Know the signs and symptoms. The symptoms of H1N1 flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting have also been reported.
- Monitor your fever. The H1N1 flu typically has a high fever (100'F-103'F) for the course of the illness. A fever is a temperature of 100 degrees Farenheit (or 38 degrees Celsius). Look for signs of feeling warm, flushed appearance, sweating or shivering.
- Go home. Go home if you have flu-like symptoms. Do not remain at work to pass your germs to others. Do not come in to work during your illness.
- Self-isolate. Stay at home if you have the flu or flu-like illness for the course of the illness (7-9 days) and remain out of contact of others until at least 24 hours after the fever ends without aid of fever-reducing medicine. With the H1N1 flu, you are contagious and can spread germs to others for one days before the symptoms appear and for seven days after the symptoms appear.
- Hydrate. Due to vomiting and diarrhea, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, particularly products like Gatorade which will replace your electrolytes. The flu can become more serious if you do not keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids each day you are ill.
When To Seek Medical Care
Employees should promptly seek medical care if they have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from flu, are concerned about their illness, or develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or rapid breathing.
NEW INFO: No Need to Get Tested
Local health officials have advised Carroll College that since we have had four confirmed cases that were tested employees no longer need to be tested to confirm the H1N1 flu virus. Seek out self-care information from your primary healthcare provider and notify your supervisor of the flu or flu-like symptoms.
Family Members with Flu or Flu-like Symptoms
As contagious as the H1N1 flu is reported to be, Carroll employees are encouraged to self-isolate family members for the duration of the illness. Keep family members with the flu or flu-like symptoms in separate rooms at home if possible. Use hand santizers and disinfectant wipes to clean high-touch surfaces on a daily basis. Keep family members with the flu or flu-like symptoms hydrated by having them drink plenty of fluids.
The flu symptoms will likely last 7-9 days with a persistent fever and a cough or sore throat. Family members with flu-like symptoms should not return to school or work until at least 24 hours after the fever breaks without use of fever-reducing medicine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the likelihood of being infected with the H1N1 flu virus by a family member is 15%-20%.
Pay Attention to Personal Health
The realities of missing classes and work for 7-9 days or more due to the H1N1 flu virus offers an incentive for employees to pay attention to their personal health during the 2009-2010 academic year. Get plenty of sleep each night. Eat regular meals. Exercise. Build in time to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends to keep your stress at a low level.
The best advice for maintaining your personal health is to wash your hands with soap and water frequently each day. Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent the spread of germs. Use alcohol-based hand cleaners and wipe down the high-touch surfaces with sanitary wipes.
Check with your medical care professionals about receiving the regular flu vaccine and discuss whether you have any high-risk health conditions that would support you receiving an H1N1 flu vaccine when available. Pay attention to your personal health during the 2009-2010 academic year so you do not compromise your immune system.
Going Home - Who to Notify
Notify your supervisor Notify your supervisor that you have the flu or flu-like symptoms OR if you are staying home to take care of dependents with the flu or flu-like symptoms. Your supervisor will notify Human Resources so the college can track the number of employees absent due to the flu.