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H1N1 Influenza Update

From the University's H1N1 Coordinating Committee


October 8, 2009

The latest information from the Rhode Island Department of Health is that vaccine for H1N1 influenza will not be available to the college students in Rhode Island until December, so the University reminds students, faculty and staff to continue following good hygiene practices to reduce the spread of influenza.

H1N1 vaccine will start arriving in the state during the next few weeks, but federal and state officials have made children 6 months to 18 years old and pregnant women the priority groups for vaccination. These two groups are among those at highest risk for H1N1 and its resulting complications. The Rhode Island Department of Health says the 19- to 24-old group would be next in line for H1N1 vaccine.

At URI Health Services, clinicians continue to see students with flu-like illness. To date, the University has had only three confirmed cases of H1N1. Health Services sends three random samples per week to the health department as a participant in the federal sentinel provider surveillance program.

URI s Health Services reminds campus community members that if they develop flu-like symptoms, they should practice self-isolation until they have been fever free 24 hours without fever-reducing medicine. Please do not attend class or other programs that put you in contact with others. Students should email their instructors that they are absent because of illness. Resident students should contact their resident assistant about how to obtain food and beverages.

Please continue to take these routine steps to protect your health:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are unavailable, use and alcohol-based rub;
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue the in the trash after you use it. If no tissue is available, cough or sneeze into your elbow;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

    • As a reminder, the University is maintaining a website at http://www.uri.edu/news/h1n1.html where all updates are posted.

    Return to main H1N1 page

    Prevention

    It is important for all faculty, staff, and students to take the following flu/respiratory disease precautions:

    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. Do not share drinks, utensils, cigarettes, etc.
    • If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Throw used tissues in the trash.person washing hands
    • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, particularly after you sneeze, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
    • Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
    • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

    As this is not a gastrointestinal viral infection similar to the norovirus, intensive cleaning for food facilities (beyond normal cleaning) is not needed.

    Medication and Vaccinations

    Generally, Tamiflu is prescribed for individuals with flu who are either hospitalized, have a chronic medical condition (as listed above, under Treatment and Response), or have a suppressed immune system. Tamiflu for influenza is not a cure, although it can reduce symptoms and decrease length of recovery time by about 24 hours. More information will be available in the coming weeks regarding how and when the H1N1 vaccine will be given.