Pandemic Planning and Response
- FACULTY:
If You Have Flu-Like Symptoms then- Do Not Attend Classes or Go to Work
- Stay home for at least 24 hrs after your fever has subsided without the help of fever-reducing meds to ensure that you are no longer contagious.
1. Stay home; do not come to campus.
2. Be prepared to have your students continue their studies in your absence.
- You must contact: (1) Your Department Chair; (2) your student employees; (3) HR (this will help us track the flu within the campus community).
- Follow the HR Guidelines for Flu Season Absences.
- Drink Plenty of Clear Fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks) to Prevent Dehydration, which is the most critical part of fighting the flu. Follow all the steps at this website: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/basics/care/managesymp.html#dehydration
- From the MDH -- Tips to Help Manage the Effects of the Flu: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/basics/care/managesymp.html
- SLEEP!! And try to eat at least some small portions of food throughout the day.
- Avoid infecting others.
- Cover your cough. Watch this short, amusing, and informative video on the proper way to cough/sneeze … (http://www.coughsafe.com/media.html).
- Maintain a 6' distance from others so that if you cough/sneeze others will not inhale any airborne droplets
- Wear a medical mask if you MUST come to campus (to retrieve teaching materials, etc.). HR will provide masks if you must come to campus, or if you fall ill during work and need to go home. - Be prepared ahead of time with necessary household supplies. Visit this site and codeready.org to make sure you have enough materials on hand in case your family can not get to the store for lengthy periods.
Symptoms of H1N1 and Seasonal Flu are essentially Identical:
- Fever (100.5 °F or higher)
AND
- At Least One of the Following:
- cough
- sore throat
- runny/stuffy nose
- body aches
- headache
- chills and fatigue
- A significant number of people also experience vomiting and/or diarrhea
- It is not fun! For persons over 25 years old H1N1 generally has not been any more “severe” than the typical seasonal flu, but that means you can expect to spend 2-3 miserable days wiped out and in bed, followed by another 3-4 days recovering.
WARNING! Get Immediate Medical Attention if Someone:
- Has difficulty breathing or chest pain
- Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips
- Has severe or persistent vomiting or has trouble keeping liquids down
- Has signs of dehydration
- Has a severe sore throat accompanied by swollen glands in the throat
- Has a fever over 104 degrees that cannot be brought down
- Has a fever of 101 degrees lasting more than three days
- Has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)
- Is less responsive than normal or becomes confused