What is H1N1 influenza (formerly referred to as Swine Flu)?

H1N1 is a new influenza (flu) virus first seen in the United States in April 2009. As health officials learn more about this flu virus, they continue to identify it more accurately. As a result, you may hear or see it called by different names, including "novel H1N1 influenza (flu) virus," "H1N1 influenza (flu) virus" or "novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infection." These are all describing this same, newly seen influenza virus in people.

What are the symptoms of H1N1 Flu?

Symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the typical seasonal flu and include a fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, cough or sore throat. In addition to these major symptoms, individuals may experience fatigue, headache, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

What should you do if you develop these symptoms?

Faculty and staff should stay at home and limit their contact with others. Faculty and staff can transmit flu to students or other members of the University community who have underlying health conditions which put these individuals at risk for serious health consequences. Faculty and staff should review the advice of the CDC and/or contact their personal physicians with medical questions.

How long should you stay home?

If you have the symptoms listed above, the CDC and UB recommend you stay home from school, work and all community activities until you are fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. A fever is defined as 100ºF or 37.8ºC. You should only leave your home for essential services such as medical appointments.

How will you be compensated for time taken if you are sick or to take for a sick family member?

UB’s current sick leave policies will remain in effect for H1N1 flu. Faculty and staff who do not come to work due to personal/familial responsibilities are able to utilize vacation time, family care, and personal time or take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Get more details about using sick leave accruals for H1N1 symptoms (PDF)

What should you do if you have close contact with someone who is sick with flu-like symptoms?

You should monitor your temperature daily for seven days. If you develop a fever of 100ºF and a sore throat or cough, stay home and follow the previous recommendations above.

What can you do to protect yourself from H1N1?

You can help protect yourself and reduce the spread of seasonal or H1N1 by taking the following steps:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread that way.
• Don’t share personal items, and if you share items, clean them often.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food. 
• Avoid getting close to people who are sick. Stay 6 feet away from a sick person.
• Wash surfaces on your work space with a disinfectant daily.
• Wipe down shared keyboards, and telephones often.
• Sign up for UB’s Emergency Alert system, if you have not done so already, to receive emergency
• information on University closure or class cancellations.
• Plan to get a flu shot this fall either on campus or at your doctor’s office.

What should you tell students about H1N1 flu and class attendance, work, or participation in campus activities?

Students should be advised if they develop flu-like symptoms to stay off campus or self-isolate in their residential hall space, not to attend class, work or other campus functions. Students should review the Health Services website for advice or call 716-829-3316 with specific medical questions. Students may choose to review the advice from the CDC as well.

How will you know students are cleared to return?

Students with a flu-like illness can return to campus after they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Students should not be required to produce a doctor’s note to validate their illness or to return to work, as doctor’s offices and medical facilities will be extremely busy and will not be able to provide such documentation in a timely way. Please review the letter from the Provost dated 9/3/09 for more details regarding student absenteeism.

Should I get a seasonal Flu Vaccine shot?

Campus members are encouraged to get a flu shot annually against seasonal flu. Consult with your primary health care provider. Details regarding on-campus flu clinics will be released soon.

Is there anything else I should know about the H1N1 Vaccine?

At this time the H1N1 vaccine is still in production. If the vaccine is available this fall, it may require two doses, spaced 30 days apart. The availability of H1N1 to the campus community is still uncertain.

Updated 9/8/09