H1N1 Pandemic Influenza

Steps to Lessen the Spread of Flu in Residence Halls

• Sick individuals should stay away from other people as much as possible especially others who are at high risk for complications from influenza
• Sick individuals should cover their coughs (use a tissue), and clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub often, especially after coughing and/or sneezing
• EVERYONE in EVERY RESIDENCE HALL should clean their hands often using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Contact the Student Health Service (336-758-5218) to ask if roommates—particularly those roomates who may be pregnant or have chronic health conditions—should take antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) or zanamivir (Relenza®) to prevent the flu
• If you are in a high risk group for complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with roommates who are sick with influenza. If close contact with a sick individual is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask if available and tolerable. Individuals who are at high risk for influenza complications include persons with the following conditions:
  • Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
• Immunosuppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV;
• Pregnant women;
• Persons younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy;

Placement of sick students

• As far as possible, sick students should remain in their rooms separate from the common areas of the residence hall. Keep the door closed.
• Unless necessary for medical care or other necessities, people who are sick with an influenza-like-illness should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including avoiding travel, for at least 24 hours after fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). This is to keep from making others sick.
• If persons with the flu need to leave their room (for example, for medical care), they should wear a facemask if available and tolerable, and cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A tissue is acceptable if a face mask is not available or tolerated.
• Have the sick person wear a facemask – if available and tolerable – if they need to be in a common area of the residence hall near other persons.

Protecting other people in the residence halls

• If you are in a high risk group for complications from influenza (see list above), you should attempt to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with anyone who is sick with influenza. If close contact with a sick individual is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask if available and tolerable.
• Sick students should not have visitors other than roommates.. A phone call is safer than a visit.
• Roommates of sick students who are at increased risk of severe illness from influenza should avoid close contact with their sick roommates if at all possible. If close contact with a sick roommate is unavoidable, consider wearing a facemask if available and tolerable.
• Roommates of sick students who are at increased risk of severe illness from influenza should also consider taking prophylactic medications (Tamiflu or Relenza). Contact the Student Health Service at 336-758-5218 for more information.
• All persons in the household should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub frequently, especially after every contact with the sick student or the sick student's room or bathroom.
• Do not share towels.

If you are the roommate of a sick student

• Avoid being face-to-face with your sick roommate.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub after you have any direct contact with your sick roommate, or handle used tissues or other personal items belonging to your sick roommate.
• Call the Student Health Service (336-758-5218) if you think you may need antiviral medication to prevent the flu.
• If you are at high risk of influenza associated complications, you should avoid contact with your roommate if possible. In addition, if you are in a high risk group for complications from influenza, you should attempt to avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with anyone else who is sick with influenza.
• Monitor yourself for flu symptoms and contact (by telephone) the Student Health Service (336-758-5218) if symptoms occur.

Cleaning, Laundry, and Waste Disposal

• Throw away tissues and other disposable items used by the sick person in the trash. Wash your hands after touching used tissues and similar waste.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables and other surfaces in the room) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick do not need to be cleaned separately, but these items should not be shared without washing thoroughly first.
• Wash linens (such as bed sheets and towels) by using household laundry soap and tumble dry on a hot setting. Avoid “hugging” laundry prior to washing it to prevent contaminating yourself. Clean your hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub right after handling dirty laundry.
• Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with hot water and soap.

For more information from the CDC:
H1N1 Influenza Information