Sweet Briar Response to H1N1 Focuses on Prevention, Communication

JENNIFER McMANAMAY
Staff writer

Most of us are aware that H1N1 influenza virus, also known as swine flu, is being reported at colleges and universities throughout the country and in the Central Virginia area. Fortunately, H1N1 has tended to produce mild illness, although like all flu viruses, it can pose a significant threat and must be taken seriously.

To date, seven students have required isolation due to suspected influenza and all have recovered or are expected to recover soon. No employee illnesses have been reported, so the impact on Sweet Briar has been minimal — and the College is doing all it can to ensure it stays that way.

Sweet Briar’s health services and co-curricular life staff are coordinating with local and state health officials to ensure the College is following the latest recommendations and providing the most up-to-date information available from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Sweet Briar also is working with other colleges and universities to monitor flu conditions.

There has been ongoing communication with students, parents, faculty and staff through posters, e-mail, newsletters, mailings and Web postings — all with one overarching message: Prevention is the best defense against flu.

Finally, Health Center and human resources staff members are working together, sharing information and protocols for handling students and employees who become ill. Testing to confirm H1N1 is not available at Sweet Briar, nor is it available locally, in accordance with CDC and local health department guidelines. However, because it is too early for seasonal flu to have made its annual arrival, health officials believe it is reasonable to treat individuals with influenza-like illness as swine flu cases.

Influenza-like illness is generally defined as having respiratory symptoms accompanied by a fever of 100 degrees or more.

With regard to students, specific steps the College is taking in response to H1N1 include:

• More than 85 students have taken advantage of seasonal flu shots offered for $25 through the Health Center, a number more than triple any previous record. Remaining doses will be made available for employees in October, when the second shipment arrives.


• A minimum of 200 doses of swine flu vaccine are expected to arrive in mid-October. The preventive vaccine is free and students will be strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.


• The Health Center is holding educational programs in Prothro atrium at noon every Thursday. Swine flu is featured weekly and a second health-related topic is added to the program every other week. Students can talk with Health Center staff and pick up informational brochures.


• The Health Center distributed individual-size bottles of alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel to all new students during orientation. About 330 bottles have been distributed to students during the noon atrium programs.


• The Health Center has implemented protocols for triaging suspected swine flu and for treating individuals with respiratory symptoms while minimizing or eliminating exposure to students visiting the center for other reasons. Students are asked to call to discuss their symptoms before visiting the center. Students with respiratory symptoms are asked to use a separate entrance and are seen in rooms reserved for that purpose.


• Students with flu-like illness are encouraged to go home if possible to recover. Otherwise, they are asked to self-isolate in their rooms or in housing on campus designated for the purpose until 24 hours after a fever is gone without the use of fever-suppressing medications.


• The Health Center provides care packages for ill students and dining services delivers meals. They are given surgical masks to wear when their roommates are present and when in the hallway and bathrooms.


• Roommates who are not ill are given the option of staying or having alternate housing available during the course of the illness. Cleaning supplies also are provided for well students who choose to remain with their roommates.


• Students are not asked to wear masks outside of their residence halls. If they have flu-like illness, they should remain in self-isolation for the recommended period of 24 hours after a fever.


• Students with flu-like symptoms are discouraged from attending class. They are expected to communicate electronically with their faculty members regarding their situation and are encouraged to keep up with their academic work as they are able.


• The Health Center has some antiviral medication for students who are at high risk for complications from the flu. Additional antiviral medication is available at local pharmacies. Most healthy individuals do not need antiviral drugs.


• A more detailed listing of these measures has been e-mailed to students, parents, faculty and staff, and is posted on the co-curricular life Web site as H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information.

With regard to employees, specific steps the College is taking include:

• The College has requested swine flu vaccine for employees and will announce when and if it becomes available, probably in mid-October. The quantity received will depend on available supplies. The vaccine will be distributed through the Health Center. A temporary nursing staff member will be employed to avoid disrupting service to students. All employees are encouraged to get the free vaccine, particularly those who are at greater risk of exposure and those at risk for complications from flu. To determine if you are at risk, visit the CDC Web site vaccination page.


• An e-mail was distributed to all employees on Sept. 7 that included information about preventing the spread of H1N1 and vaccine availability.


• Physical plant director Steve Bailey and human resources director Barbara Parker have met with physical plant employees to ensure that information is disseminated to everyone, including those without access to campus e-mail.


• Additional protocols are being implemented to assist employees who interact with students with flu-like illness, including physical plant, dining services and safety department employees.


• In accordance with CDC recommendations, employees who have flu-like illness are being asked to stay home until their fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication.


• Employees are encouraged to get vaccinated against seasonal flu. Southern Health, Sweet Briar’s health insurance provider, offers seasonal flu shots for a Tier 1 co-payment of $15 at the following pharmacies: Kmart, CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, Walgreens, Ukrop’s, Westwood and Westbury Pharmacies. The vaccine is available from your health care provider for a $25 co-pay, and the student health center will make unused vaccine available to employees for $25.


• Human resources will track the number of suspected H1N1 cases among employees to assess its spread and determine if preventive measures being taken are effective. Supervisors should report the data to human resources at Ext. 6506 or by e-mail.

For more information
It is important to reiterate that the H1N1 virus is a novel influenza strain that local, state, federal and world health officials are monitoring constantly. As more is learned about the virus, CDC recommendations change. For the most up-to-date information or for details not provided here, visit the CDC Web site.

Another good source for information, including instructional videos, is http://www.publichealth.va.gov/flu/materials/videos.asp.

Prevention
While what is known about H1N1 is changing, some things are constant, including that flu spreads easily from person to person. You can minimize your exposure by following these guidelines:

• Wash your hands frequently for a minimum of 15-20 seconds each time using soap and running water.


• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer gel or wipes when water is unavailable, rubbing your hands together until the gel is dry.


• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.


• Do not eat or drink after others.


• Eat well, stay hydrated, rest, exercise and follow good health guidelines.


• Incorporate stress management techniques in your daily routine.


• Get vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 flu when available.


• Clean your environment. Viruses can survive on surfaces and infect individuals for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface (books, pens, doorknobs, desks, phones, computers). Wipe surfaces down with household disinfectant or with chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents or alcohol.


• If you develop symptoms of flu, avoid close contact with others and call your health care provider for advice on treatment. Symptoms include a fever greater than 100 degrees, headache, body aches, fatigue, dry cough, sore throat and, occasionally, nausea or diarrhea.