H1N1 (aka Novel or Swine Flu) FAQs

What is H1N1 (swine) flu?
The 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus (previously referred to as “swine flu”) is an influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a pandemic was underway.

Why are people concerned about this particular strain?
Human infections with the new H1N1 virus are ongoing in the United States. Most people who have become ill with this new virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. The Centers for Disease Control routinely works with states to collect, compile and analyze information about influenza, and has done the same for the new H1N1 virus since the beginning of the outbreak. This information is presented in a weekly report, called FluView.

How does novel H1N1 virus spread?
Spread of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza A virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something – such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, 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. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

How do you catch H1N1 flu?
The current strain of H1N1 influenza circulating around the world is contagious and is believed to be spreading among humans in the same way that the seasonal flu spreads. Influenza is thought to spread primarily person-to-person through coughing or sneezing by infected people, or when someone touches something with flu viruses on it and then touches their mouth or nose. Infected people may be able to spread the virus to others beginning one day (24 hours) before symptoms develop, and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. This means it is important to practice good hygiene at all times, even if you have not developed symptoms, in order to reduce the risk of spreading sickness.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
It is important to practice good hygiene at all times, and there are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and properly dispose of the tissue.
• If you do not have a tissue, sneeze or cough into the bend of your arm rather than into your hands to reduce the spread of germs.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent the spread of germs.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms?
Call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022 and talk to a medical professional.

Then what?
If you are diagnosed with flu, you can go home or be isolated in the Alumni Center. It is clean, safe, comfortable and is staffed 24/7 with medical personnel.

What if I'm too sick to walk?
Call Campus Police at 513-745-1000 to arrange transportation.

How long will students stay in the Alumni Center?
Students will remain in isolation until 24 hours after their fever breaks. They must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicine before returning to their normal routine.

What about food and medicine?
Nurses and medical personnel will be on hand 24/7 and will administer medication as prescribed. Chartwell's, Xavier's food service provider, is bringing food to the isolated students three times a day.

What about non-flu medications a students may be on?
Students should bring any other prescription medications they are on with them to the isolation center and notify the nurses/doctors there of these medications.

Can't student just stay in their room and away from others?
For the general health of the campus and in the best interest of the ill student to be monitored 24/7 by a medical professional in a quiet, isolated and controlled setting will be the best for all.

What if Faculty and Staff become ill?
Faculty and staff experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever with cough and/or sore throat) should not come to work and should self-isolate in their homes until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). Employees feeling sick should notify their supervisor of their absence from work and immediately contact their personal physicians.

What does it mean for Faculty and staff to self-isolate during illness?
Faculty and staff diagnosed with flu or flu-like illness should self-isolate at home until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Will you identify individuals who test positive so people know to avoid them?
Personal health information is private and the University is not able to release the identity of an individual receiving medical treatment; it would be a violation of federal health privacy rules. However, the University understands the concerns of members of the Xavier community, and wants everyone to know that University officials are in regular communication with the local and state health departments about this public health issue. The University also is following the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for medical assessment and treatment of positive cases, as well as following the hygienic guidelines to minimize the potential of the virus spreading to other individuals on campus.

Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever with cough and/or sore throat) should not come to work and should self-isolate in their homes until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Employees feeling sick should notify their supervisor of their absence from work and immediately contact their personal physicians.

I had a flu shot this year. Can I still get H1N1 flu?
The flu shot provided during the fall 2008 flu season does not provide protection against the novel H1N1 influenza virus.

Are there medicines to treat novel H1N1 infection?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with novel H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.

What are the plans for developing novel H1N1 vaccine?
Vaccines are the most powerful public health tool for control of influenza, and the U.S. government is working closely with manufacturers to take steps in the process to manufacture a novel H1N1 vaccine. Working together with scientists in the public and private sector, CDC has isolated the new H1N1 virus and modified the virus so that it can be used to make hundreds of millions of doses of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are now using these materials to begin vaccine production. Making vaccine is a multi-step process which takes several months to complete.  Candidate vaccines will be tested in clinical trials over the few months. 

When is it expected that the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available?
The novel H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the fall. More specific dates cannot be provided at this time as vaccine availability depends on several factors including manufacturing time and time needed to conduct clinical trials

Should people take extra measures, like wearing surgical masks to avoid exposure?
Because information on the effectiveness of facemasks or respirators for the control of influenza in community settings is limited, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently encouraging individuals to practice good hygiene and take the normal precautions to protect themselves as they would from regular seasonal flu. Should you choose to purchase a facemask, masks cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use as medical devices have been determined to help protect penetration of blood and body fluids. This includes facemasks labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation or laser masks, and these typically are available for purchase at local pharmacies, supermarkets or hardware stores.

What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms?
Call the McGrath Health and Wellness Center at 513-745-3022 and talk to a medical professional. If it is after hours call Campus Police at 513-745-1000.

Then what?
In order to help stop the spread of the flu, students who are diagnosed as probable for H1N1 flu are required to either go home for recovery or to self isolate themselves in the recovery center in Alumni Center. This applies to all students no matter where they live or if they have separate bedrooms.

How long will students stay in the Alumni Center?
Students who self isolate in the recovery center should expect to stay for a maximum of five days. They must be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medicine before returning to their normal routine.

What if I'm too sick to walk?
Call Campus Police at 513-745-1000 to arrange transportation.

What if I go home?
Students who elect to recover at home should remain home for five days and be fever free for 24 hours, without medication (Tylenol, Advil or similar fever reducing products) before returning to campus.

Academic Affairs is working in concert with the McGrath Health and Wellness Center to notify faculty of students who are away from class recovering from the flu.

I am an employee feeling sick. Should I still report to work?
Employees who contract the flu should notify their supervisor and stay home for 5 days from the onset of symptoms.  They need to be fever free for 24 hours, without medication (e.g. Advil, Tylenol, or similar fever reducing products) before returning to work. A doctor’s note is not required in this specific instance.