Campus Life Updates H1N1 Flu Information

Guilford College

H1N1 Protocol

 

There is not an H1N1 epidemic on campus. Offices are open and classes are being held as usual.

In consultation with local health authorities, Guilford College will NOT be closing given the present status of the H1N1 virus on our campus. The prior protocol referring to 20 active cases is guidance from the college's pandemic operations plan and is in place to deal with a potenially life-threatening virus.

Below you will find updated numbers on suspected cases of H1N1 at Guilford College. These numbers are being tracked hourly through Student Health and we will continue to update these numbers on a daily basis as long as new, suspected cases arise.

The following is a status report on suspected cases of the H1N1 virus on campus. We appreciate the precautions that all of you have taken thus far. While the prevalence of suspected cases and severity of symptoms remain relatively modest, we have experienced an increase in cases the past few weeks compared to the low, sporadic activity of suspected cases seen during the summer months. There have been over 20 students who have contacted Student Health with some flu symptoms, typically congestion, sore throat, aches, and, most notably, fever. Please keep in mind, as noted below, that none of these cases were tested specifically for H1N1 as local physicians and hospitals are not testing people in this age group, but are instead simply treating for H1N1 with TamiFlu, which does work to dramatically decrease the severity and duration of symptoms.

Ill students who live off campus have been asked to stay home and avoid contact with others, while sick students in campus housing who do not come from areas near Greensboro are being taken care of by staff members in Student Health, Residence Life, Dining, and Campus Life. In accordance with the latest directive from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sick students will remain in isolation until they are fever-free for 24 hours after they have stopped taking fever-reducing medications.

These suspected cases serve as a reminder to all of us to be vigilant in reacting to flu-like symptoms in an effort to mitigate the spread of infection.

As H1N1 influenza A continues to circulate worldwide, health officials expect cases to increase in the United States, especially since influenza transmission typically spreads more rapidly during the fall and winter.

The following is an outline of protocol for Guilford College to be used in the event that a student presents with severe flu symptoms in the Student Health Center or in the event of notification by an outside physician regarding a Guilford student who is being treated for the H1N1 virus.

  1. Students presenting in the Health Center with severe symptoms will be self isolated or referred to Urgent Medical Family Care (UMFC), a partner with our Student Health Center for evaluation.
  2. On or off campus students will be encouraged to self-isolate (stay away from others) and avoid exposure to the public.
  3. The Campus Life Office will obtain the appropriate permission from the infected student to alert faculty members that they will be absent.
  4. The CDC has advised the college to continue self-isolation in the event of increased cases on campus and the CDC is not recommending closure of institutions of higher education.  In consultation with local health authorities, Guilford College will NOT be closing given the present status of the H1N1 virus on our campus. The prior protocol referring to 20 active cases is guidance from the college's pandemic operations plan and is in place to deal with a potenially life-threatening virus.

It is important to note that the virus only lives on surfaces for eight (8) hours and standard, daily cleaning kills the virus.  This does not necessitate a need for increased cleaning by the housekeeping staff, but we would ask that all members of the Guilford community stress the importance of hand washing, general hygiene, and appropriate diet and sleep.  By the time a person is confirmed positive with the virus, any areas they have contacted would likely be virus-free due to the eight hour lifespan of the virus on surfaces.


Our area hospitals are treating anyone presenting with flu-like symptoms on an outpatient basis as if they had the common flu.  They are not testing individuals for H1N1 unless they are very young, elderly, or have serious and /or complicating medical conditions. A vaccine is in production and Guilford has requested enough vaccine to inoculate students, faculty, and staff upon receipt.

Based on this and the latest information from the CDC, we have worked to develop these new recommendations:

  • If possible students diagnosed with, or suspected to have, influenza should go home to recover. Students should not attend class or visit the dining hall. Avoid contact with others until at least 24 hours after their fever resolves without the use of fever reducing medications (e.g. Tylenol or ibuprofen). If students cannot go home, they should wear a surgical mask while in common areas like bathrooms, the common areas of a residence hall, or when in a room with an unaffected individual.
  • Students who are well but have a family member or roommate with H1N1 flu can attend classes or visit the dining hall as usual. They should monitor their health every day. If they become ill, they should, if possible, go home to recover.
  • Students who are ill with fever and respiratory symptoms should call the Student Health Center at (336) 316-2194 to schedule an appointment or to speak to a nurse for advice and instruction. If students with these symptoms leave their residence hall or home to seek medical care or other necessities, they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A tissue, other covering (e.g. shirt sleeve) or a surgical mask can be used to cover the cough or sneeze.
  • The Dean of Students Office is working with Academic Affairs to address issues surrounding class absences. More specific advice will follow but as a minimum you should notify by e-mail your instructors to notify them of your absence.

CDC Tips to Fight H1N1 Flu

Although H1N1 flu has proven to be relatively mild and responsive to anti-viral drugs, the CDC recommends that everyone take the following actions to stay healthy:

  • 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 sanitizers can be used if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • The single best way for adults and children to protect against any flu is to get a flu shot each year.

The indicators of influenza include extreme respiratory symptoms such as prolonged dry cough, sore throat, extreme body aches, headache, chills, and fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also practice good personal hygiene by regularly washing your hands and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Other tips include:

  • If you are sick, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
  • CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER or STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS:
    • Trouble breathing including shortness of breath or fast breathing
    • Bluish skin color
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion or irritability
    • Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
    • Inability to drink fluids or to keep them down

Information about H1N1 is updated as conditions warrant on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. These sites are being monitored by Student Health Services on a daily basis and appropriate plans are activated. The Department of Public Health has current information on its Web site. Additional information can be found at www.ncpublichealth.com.