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Updated 8/18/09
The best source for up-to-date information is the CDC website www.cdc.gov/h1n1
Have there been any cases of H1N1 flu at UNCW?
The new H1N1 influenza virus has continued to cause illness, hospitalizations and deaths in the US during the normally flu-free summer months. The H1N1 influenza virus is widespread across the United States; there have been confirmed cases in New Hanover County and surrounding counties.
It is reasonable to assume the H1N1 influenza virus is present in the UNCW community. However, there is no testing occurring unless someone is hospitalized. The recommendation is that anyone who has an influenza like illness (ILI) is treated as if they had H1N1.
While there are many unknowns about the upcoming flu season, the CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus may result in a particularly severe flu season this year. UNCW will continue to monitor this closely.
What steps can I take to reduce my risk of contracting the H1N1 flu?
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. The following actions can reduce your chance of getting ill.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with persons who are ill.
Manage your stress levels, get adequate rest, and follow good nutrition habits.
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1?
The symptoms of H1N1 include fever over 100 degrees F, 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.
If I think I might have H1N1 flu what should I do?
It is expected that most people will recover without needing medical care. If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether testing or treatment is needed.
Students who have questions are encouraged to call the Student Health Center at 910-962-3280 for more information. The best source for up-to-date information is the CDC website www.cdc.gov/h1n1.
Be aware of the symptoms of H1N1 flu, which are similar to symptoms of seasonal influenza and generally include a fever of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with H1N1 have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with underlying medical conditions.
If you are sick with flu-like illness, the 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.)
Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed.
If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.
In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Have events at UNCW been canceled due to the H1N1 flu?
UNCW has not canceled any events or activities due to H1N1 flu.
In the spring a UNCW baseball tournament was canceled by the University Of Delaware (opponent) due to the existence of confirmed cases of H1N1 flu on the University of Delaware campus.
Will the university close if H1N1 flu cases on campus are confirmed?
The CDC is not currently recommending that institutions cancel or dismiss classes or other large gatherings. If confirmed cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection or a large number of cases of influenza like illness occur among students, faculty, or staff or in the community, UNCW officials will consult with state and local health officials regarding an appropriate response.
Campus can only be closed by the following individuals: the governor, the president of the UNC system, or the local health department authority. The Chancellor may not close the university on her own but can do so in consultation with one of the above individuals. In general, it would require a significant cluster of serious flu cases to warrant a campus closure. We are much more likely to pursue isolation and quarantine measures for those individuals infected so that we can reduce the contagion to others. Throughout, we will monitor the situation closely and adjust our plans if needed.
Plans are being made to track absences of students, faculty and staff to help determine the level of infection on campus.
What should I do if my roommate or household members gets ill?
People whose roommate or household member gets ill or those caring for an ill person should follow guidance developed by the CDC for caring for sick persons at home. (See Interim Guidance for H1N1 Flu: Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home).
What is isolation? What is quarantine?
Isolation simply means the separation of infected (exhibiting symptoms) individuals from others. Quarantine means the separation of exposed individuals (not yet exhibiting symptoms but had close contact with an infected person) from others. Isolation and quarantine will not be issued without consultation with the local health department.
Can/Should I get a flu shot?
As soon as there is information about the availability of both the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine for the UNCW community, it will be posted on this website and the Student Health Center website.
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against novel H1N1 virus. However, a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public in the fall. As always, a vaccine will be available to protect against seasonal influenza
Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of illness, doctor’s visits, hospitalizations and deaths. The CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result in a particularly severe flu season this year. Vaccines are the best tool we have to prevent influenza, so the hope is that people will get vaccinated as soon as vaccines for both seasonal flu and H1N1 become available in early fall
The seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1 influenza. The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used along-side seasonal flu vaccine.
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), has identified groups recommended to receive the H1N1 influenza vaccine, to include:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age are included because there have been many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population
Should I be wearing a mask?
UNCW does not dispense masks and does not recommend the use of masks by healthy people as a preventative measure. If you are sick, wearing a mask may help to protect others by preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus when you sneeze or cough. Surgical masks can be purchased at most pharmacies and surgical supply houses.
How will you communicate with me?
Updates will be sent out through faculty/staff and student blast emails. Updated information will also appear on the UNCW homepage and the UNCW emergency and safety Web site. Learn more about our emergency notification tools here.
Is the university imposing travel restrictions in light of the H1N1 flu?
We have not placed any formal restrictions on travel. However, we encourage those who are planning travel to check the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and to be mindful of the travel guidelines issued by the location to which you are traveling. The CDC recommendations are regularly updated in order to account for the shifting pattern of infection across the globe.
The situation is being monitored closely by UNCW's Office of International Programs and the Environmental Health & Safety Department. Decisions about study abroad programs will be made as the situation progresses.
Does UNCW have a travel abroad policy?
Yes, UNCW has a travel abroad and re-rentry policy that has been approved by the Chancellor's Cabinet. You can view the policy here.
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