West Virginia University Student Health has diagnosed approximately 20 cases of H1N1 and influenza-like illness and around 220 reports of influenza-like illness have been reported on the WELL WVU Web site. WELL WVU officials are encouraging everyone to be diligent in prevention methods.

“WELL WVU strongly recommends that all students protect themselves by receiving both influenza vaccines this fall. H1N1 is now on campus and we have to try to prevent the spread amongst the student body,” said Dr. Jan E. Palmer, director of WELL WVU’s Student Health. “WVU administrators, including housing, dining, faculty and student services are all working together to provide for the ongoing needs of students.”

All students, staff and community members who have influenza-like illness as defined by a fever greater than 100.4 degrees, sudden onset of illness and a cough or sore throat, are urged to participate in self-isolation, wash their hands, cover their cough and get the vaccines when they are available.

Students with influenza-like illness in University housing are encouraged to inform their residential advisor and stay in their rooms until their fever is resolved for 24 hours. Masks should be worn by the person with influenza-like illness whenever they are within six feet of others. Food service will deliver meals to students who are in health isolation.

Anyone with chronic health conditions or underlying illness should contact Student Health or a licensed physician. They may need to be seen by a doctor.

The seasonal flu vaccine will be available to all WVU students while supplies last for free at the Student Recreation Center from 3-7 p.m. on Sept. 28 and Oct. 6. Vaccine for H1N1 is expected to be available to WVU students by early to mid-October. Dates and locations of distribution will be announced once the vaccine is released by the manufacturer.

WVU will be following national guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The recommendations for preventing influenza are:

• Get vaccinated for seasonal and H1N1 influenza.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol based sanitizer. Hand sanitizer dispensers are already in place or being placed in most WVU buildings.
• Cover your cough with a tissue and discard. Coughing into your elbow is recommended if a tissue is not available.
• Stay at least six feet away from anyone who is ill.
• Eat a balanced diet, drink extra fluids, exercise regularly and get plenty of sleep.

How to recognize influenza: *A fever of 100.4˚F or higher *Sudden onset of illness and body aches *Congestion, cough, sore throat

What should I do if I think I have the flu?

• Isolate yourself at home or in your University housing until your fever is gone for 24 hours.
• Talk to your resident assistant (RA) about having meals brought into your room.
• Talk to your professors about missing class and how to make up work. Most professors will allow for some absences associated with illness.
• Wear a mask if anyone is in contact with you while you are ill (available in residence halls, Student Health or local pharmacies).
• Try to maintain a good diet, but especially drink extra fluid.
• Take acetaminophen for fever and body aches.
• Get extra rest.
Most students with influenza should not go to a health care provider (increase risk of spreading the illness).
Call Student Health to speak with a nurse at 304-293-2311, and determine if you should come to Student Health if:
• You have an underlying health problem such as asthma, heart or lung disease, diabetes.
• Are immunocompromised.
• Are not improving in 3-5 days.
• You have any questions or concerns.

To help track the spread of influenza around campus, students, faculty and staff with symptoms are asked to complete the survey at http://simpleforms.scripts.wvu.edu/src/Influenza/.

More information is also available at http://well.wvu.edu/medical/shs_news/h1n1_flu.

-WVU-
09/23/09

CONTACT: Dr. Jan Palmer, WELL WVU’s Student Health
304-293-2311, jpalmer@hsc.wvu.edu