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H1N1 Flu Virus

Carroll College values the importance of education and prevention to inform students, parents and employees on the 2009 H1N1 flu virus. The information provided on our web pages will address the symptoms, preventive practices, self-isolation at home for students and employees and measures taken by the college to address the impact of the virus.

H1N1 Flu at Carroll College

Local health officials have advised Carroll College to expect the 2009 novel H1N1 flu virus to affect Carroll students and employees. The 2009 H1N1 flu virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu speads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something--such as a surface or object--with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

Health officials are recommending that individuals with the flu or flu-like symptoms self-isolate for 7-9 days and not return to classes or work until at least 24 hours after the fever ends. The H1N1 flu is contagious for 7 days which is why self-isolation (no contact with others except for medical care) is important.

Carroll College is advising students and employees with the flu or flu-like symptoms to go home (by private vehicle, not public transportation) for the duration of the illness. Parents, family members or friends of the student or employee with the flu or flu-like symptoms are asked to help the individual self-isolate, monitor fever, hydrate by drinking lots of fluids and consult with medical care if symptoms worsen beyond fever and a cough or fever with sweating or chills.

Recommended Strategies Under Current Flu Conditions

Recommended strategies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under current flu conditions (similar severity as in Spring/Summer 2009) adopted by Carroll College for the 2009-2010 academic year:

  • Promote self-isolation at home by residential students, non-resident students, faculty and staff.
  • Encourage hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and personal wellness (get sleep, eat regular meals, exercise).
  • Discourage attendance at campus events by ill persons.
  • Enhance campus cleaning of high-touch surfaces (i.e.bathrooms, doorknobs) and commonly used surfaces (i.e. keyboards, desks)

Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued this guidance for colleges and universities for the 2009-2010 academic year:

Although the severity of flu outbreaks during the fall and winter of 2009-10 is unpredictable, more communities may be affected than were affected in spring/summer 2009, reflecting wider transmission and possibly greater impact. CDC is working with state and local health departments to continually monitor the spread of flu, the severity of the illness it is causing, and changes to the virus. If this information indicates that flu is causing more severe disease than during the spring/summer 2009 H1N1 outbreak, or if other developments require more aggressive mitigation measures, CDC may recommend additional strategies. Since severity may vary from community to community, (institutions of higher education) should also look to their state and local health officials for infomation and guidance specific to their location.

Acknowledgments

Carroll College would like to acknowledge the use of text from the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xavier University and Wake Forest University to present information on our webpages on the novel H1N1 flu virus.

H1N1 Flu at Carroll College: Reported Cases

Carroll College has had 76 reported cases of students with H1N1 virus and 12 reported cases of an employee with H1N1 virus. Approximately one-third of the students have returned to attending class. All of the employees have returned to work.

Flu Prevention

As recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • Get an annual seasonal flu vaccine, as well as the H1N1 vaccine, when it becomes available.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands, when you sneeze or cough. Throw tissues in the trash after you use them.
  • Wash you 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.

H1N1 Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 Flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with novel H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.