Novel H1N1 (SWINE FLU) What you need to know

What is H1N1 Flu? Novel H1N1 is a new influenza virus First detected in people in the United States in April 2009 Originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in the new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs. ▫Further studies reveal that it is in fact very different from what normally is found in pigs.

What is H1N1 Flu? It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. ▫Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus

How Does novel H1N1 Virus Spread? It is thought to spread the same way that seasonal flu spreads ▫Person to person  Coughing or sneezing by people with influenza ▫Contact  Touching surface or object with flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. The CDC has determined that novel H1N1 virus is contagious and spreading from human to human.

Symptoms Symptoms of the flu include: ▫Fever or Chills AND Cough or Sore Throat. ▫Additional symptoms can include  Runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

What is a Fever? A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius when taken with a thermometer Possible signs of fever ▫Person feels very warm ▫Has a flushed appearance ▫Sweating or shivering

Cold vs. Flu Know the Difference SymptomsColdFlu FeverRareUsual – can be 100 to 102 or higher lasting 3-4 days ChillsUncommonCommon Muscle Aches and PainsUncommon or MildCommon – can be severe HeadacheUncommonCommon – can come on suddenly and be severe Feeling Tired and WeakSometimes – usually mild; you don’t feel tired Common – can be moderate to severe; can lasts for 2-3 weeks. You can feel extreme tiredness that occurs suddenly CoughingCommon – mild to moderate hackingCommon – can become severe and last for several weeks SneezingCommonSometimes Stuffy NoseCommonSometimes Sore ThroatCommonSometimes Chest DiscomfortSometimes – can be mild to moderateCommon – can be severe

Why should Ivy Tech be concerned? Students, faculty, and staff can get sick with flu, and institutions may act as a “point of spread.” Students, faculty, and staff can easily spread flu to others in their institutions as well as in the larger community.

Why should I be concerned? Are you between age 5 and 49? To date, the highest number of cases of 2009 H1N1 flu have been confirmed among people years old. The highest number of deaths are in those ages 25-49! This flu is unpredictable because it is “new”

CDC Statistics Confirmed and Probable case rate in the US, by Age Group Hospitalization rate per 100,000 by Age Group

CDC Statistics Deaths by Age Group Symptoms of Hospitalized Patients SymptomNumber (%) Fever249 (93%) Cough223 (83%) Shortness of Breath 145 (54%) Fatigue/weakness108 (40%) Chills99 (37%) Sore Throat84 (31%) Headache83 (31%) Vomiting78 (29%) Wheezing64 (24%) Diarrhea64 (24%)

Where is H1N1 Currently?

The Flu can spread quickly! Each person that is contagious can spread it to 7-10 others BEFORE they even know they have symptoms. Just avoiding sick people is not enough! The following slides show how fast the flu spread in September of 1918.

Source: America’s Forgotten Pandemic,

Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu The easiest and best way to protect yourself and prevent the flu is to WASH YOUR HANDS! ▫Use soap and water or alcohol based hand cleaners, especially after you sneeze or cough  Hands should be washed for 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday twice)  Rub hands with alcohol based cleaner until dry.

Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu Stay home and away from other people until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever or signs of a fever. ▫This should be determined without the use of fever- reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen)

Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu Practice good hand hygiene Practice respiratory etiquette - cough into your shoulder, elbow or Kleenex Sick people should limit contact with others and try to maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from people. Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.

Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu Educate your classmates, friends and family members about the flu Get your the Flu and H1N1 Flu Vaccination (Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated if you have personal concerns )

Who should receive a flu vaccination? Pregnant women People who live with and care for children younger than 6 months of age Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel (including STUDENTS) People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years People ages years of age who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune system.

What are the “Chronic” conditions: (doctor’s note not required to get shot) COPD Asthma Kidney Disease Liver Disease Immunosupression Cardiovascular disease ▫(not hypertension alone) Diabetes Blood Disorders Neurologic Disorders Neuromuscular Disorders

Why should I get the vaccine? Protect yourself! Prevent spreading it to approximately 7 other people! Prevent your family from being sick … don’t take it home to your kids and family. Attendance in your classes Clinical courses have a limit as to how much you can miss. Attendance in your classes Clinical courses have a limit as to how much you can miss. Clinical sites are not yet requiring the vaccine, but they strongly recommend getting both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine.

Can I get an H1N1 Vaccine at Ivy Tech? YES if you are included in any of the Tier 1 criteria listed in your letter Do I have to get the H1N1 Vaccine? NO, however some clinical sites may not allow non-vaccinated students to attend their facility. Can my family get a Vaccine at Ivy Tech? YES if they are included in any of the Tier 1 criteria listed in the letter Can my children get a Vaccine at Ivy Tech? Not Yet, the first round of vaccines at Ivy Tech will be for age 18 and older.

When will the H1N1 Flu Clinics be? Will be announced as soon as the vaccine arrives! We anticipate late October or early November. Clinics are scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays.No appointment will be needed. The clinics will be walk- in. They will be located in the Coliseum Campus building. Clinic students are encouraged to come to the first vaccination sessions!

What if I am not in the Tier 1 Group? The Allen County Department of Health will advise us when we can open the Vaccine Center up to the Tier 2 Group. We anticipate this will be in Late November or Early December. We have ordered enough H1N1 vaccine to immunize the entire student body, staff and faculty, as well as members of the public!

Flu Facts and Myths Myth – “The flu isn’t a serious disease.” ▫Fact – Flu is a serious disease and can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 200,000 people in the US are hospitalized and about 36,000 die. Myth – “The flu shot can cause the flu.” ▫Fact – The flu shot CANNOT cause the flu.

Flu Facts and Myths Myth – “The flu shot doesn’t work.” ▫Fact – The effectiveness of the flu shot ranges from 70% to 90%. Myth – “The side effects from a flu shot are worse than the flu.” ▫Fact – The worst side effect you’re likely to get from a shot is a sore arm.

What is Ivy Tech doing? Sanitizer WipesHand sanitizers

What is Ivy Tech doing? Posters Vaccination Clinic On Campus Clinic on campus will begin vaccinating all health science students with direct patient contact as soon as the vaccine becomes available.

Additional Information about Flu Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ▫ U.S. Government flu information ▫

QUESTIONS?