Answers for students and families

• H1N1, prevention and personal care
• Arranging for your absence from class
• What can parents and family do?

H1N1, prevention and personal care

How serious is H1N1 (swine flu)?

Very serious. Since most people have little immunity to H1N1, it spreads rapidly and can affect an entire community in a short time.

However, most people experience illness no worse than seasonal flu and recover in seven days or less using nothing more than over-the-counter medication, plenty of rest and fluids and other common-sense home treatments for flu.

If you are pregnant or have diabetes; lung, heart or immune disorder; or another chronic condition, you should contact a health-care provider at the first sign of flu.

Is there anything I can do to prepare?

Make sure you have your own (don't share) reliable thermometer, supply of ibuprofen or other fever-reducing medicine, facial tissue, hand sanitizers and bottled water or juice. You should also have a supply of light foods, such as breakfast cereal, clear soups and broth.

Is an H1N1 vaccine be available for students?

Registration for H1N1 vaccinations began Nov. 2 and is available on a continuing basis. You can register to receive a vaccination at wmich.edu/vaccine using your Bronco NetID and password. Vaccinations will be scheduled based on priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control. Please be patient. It may be several weeks before you are notified that your dose of the vaccine is available.

What can I do to reduce my chances of contracting the flu?

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• When you can't wash with soap and water, use an alcohol-based gel. You'll find dispensers in many public areas of the campus. You may also wish to purchase a personal supply.
• Clean counters, doorknobs and other shared surfaces frequently. The virus can live on surfaces you touch for up to eight hours.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or your sleeve.
• Encourage those you live with to follow these practices.

What are the symptoms of the H1N1 virus?

Fever, chills, cough, body aches, fatigue, sore throat, congestion, vomiting and diarrhea—the same as seasonal flu. You probably won't experience all the symptoms. The key indicator is a fever of 100 degrees or more, coupled a few of the other symptoms.

What should I do if I have flu symptoms?

• Isolate yourself from others immediately and as much as possible.
• If possible, return to your family home using non-public transportation.
• Alert roommates and your hall director if you live in a residence hall.
• Contact your instructors and student-employment supervisors to alert them of your situation.
• Do not return to normal activity or contact with others until you have been free of fever for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications.
• If you or a roommate has a high-risk condition, such as pregnancy; diabetes; lung, heart or immune disorder; or another chronic illness, contact a health-care provider at the first sign of flu. Otherwise, your best bet is to isolate yourself immediately and get as much rest as possible.
• Treat your illness using your own thermometer, fever-reducing medicine such as ibuprofen, facial tissue, hand sanitizers and bottled water or juice.
• Eat light foods regularly, such as breakfast cereal, clear soups and broth.
• Call Sindecuse Health Center at (269) 387-3295 if you have questions regarding your illness.
• Visit Sindecuse only if you have an illness that is worsening or is not getting better after seven days. In most cases, H1N1 is a mild illness that runs its course in less than a week without prescription medication.
• If your fever does not respond to nonprescription medication, or if you have chest pain, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, seek medical care immediately. Call (269) 387-3295 to review your symptoms with a nurse and set up an appointment.
• If you are ill, you should wear a surgical mask when you leave your residence to seek health care or for any other urgent need.

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