Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between probable and suspected cases?
A probable case is one that has tested positively for the Influenza A virus and negative for seasonal flu, and the symptoms for the H1N1 virus are present. The symptoms include an upper respiratory infection with a fever of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit and at least one of the following: a runny nose, congestion, sore throat or a cough.
A suspected case is one that has tested positive for Influenza A, but unknown whether it is the seasonal flu or A (H1N1).
Will the university close if there are a high number of confirmed H1N1 cases on campus?
The university will make a closure decision based on consultation with county and state health officials and a thorough assessment of the health threat to the campus community. In general, it would require a significant cluster of flu cases to warrant a campus closure. We will monitor the situation closely and adjust our plans if needed.
What is CU doing to protect campus community members?
In preparation to respond to the outbreak of any infectious disease, CU-Boulder has created an Infectious Disease Plan, which is now being implemented. The State of Colorado will only test for H1N1 if a patient is hospitalized and county and state officials issue confirmations of the diagnosis. CU-Boulder has seen probable cases of H1N1 occurring both on and off campus. Health care professionals evaluated these cases and patients followed self-isolation and self-care protocols. CU-Boulder continues to communicate to all faculty, staff, students and parents about the measures we are taking, and reminding each audience of treatments for, and precautions against the flu.
How will you communicate with me?
Updates will be sent through faculty/staff and student e-memos. Updated information will also appear on this Web site. Wardenburg Health Center, the Department of Human Resources, Facilities Management (including Housing and Dining Services) and other critical service departments and offices will contact University Communications about changes to procedures and policies, and this information will be disseminated to the campus community through email, Web postings and by word of mouth. If you have questions specific to a department, office or service that have not been addressed through campus communications, contact them directly.
What should I do to stay well?
Respiratory etiquette is the single most effective way to prevent spread of the H1N1 virus:
- Cover your cough/sneeze with your elbow or tissue, immediately throw tissue away and wash hands
- Wash hands for 20 seconds with warm, soapy water or use instant hand sanitizer
- Avoid close face-to-face contact with persons who are ill
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth
- Get adequate sleep every night (7 to 9 hours)
- Do not share cups, makeup, eating utensils, lip balm, or water bottles with anyone
- Get your seasonal flu vaccine, and when available, the H1N1 vaccine
- Be prepared with a first aid/illness kit (see content list below)
- For more information visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
What supplies should go in a first aid/illness kit?
To stay healthy, it is important to have medical and health supplies easily accessible. Prepare a kit with the following items to help relieve symptoms, maintain good health, and treat other minor injuries or ailments.
- Non-mercury thermometer
- Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and/or Naproxen
- Hand sanitizer
- Surface disinfectant
- Tissues
- Throat lozenges
- Antihistamine
- Antibiotic ointment for wounds or abrasions
- Bandages
- Cold pack
- Electrolyte replacement drink mix (several packages)
What are the signs and symptoms of H1N1?
Be aware of the symptoms of H1N1 virus, which are similar to symptoms of seasonal influenza and generally include fever of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Few affected individuals also have diarrhea and vomiting. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with underlying medical conditions.
Are there populations that are at a higher risk of infection?
Those who tend to have an increased risk of illness severity include persons with certain chronic medical conditions, pregnant women and children younger than 5 years old. High-risk persons with close contact to a suspected or confirmed case of H1N1 virus should seek medical advice to determine if anti-flu medications are needed. People who are at risk for complications should also self-monitor for symptoms of flu-like illness and should consult with their medical provider if they do occur.
If I think I might have H1N1, what should I do?
If you are ill but do not have a high-risk condition (diabetes, asthma or other chronic lung conditions, a compromised immune system, or pregnancy) or severe symptoms (develop severe shortness of breath, extremely high fever, etc.) you should remain home until your illness has passed. Refrain from any group activities until 24 hours after your fever has passed without the use of fever-reducing medications. Symptoms of H1N1 virus, which are similar to symptoms of seasonal influenza, generally include a fever of greater than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with underlying medical conditions.
If you have more questions or are unsure of what to do, please call the Wardenburg phone nurse at (303) 492-3435.
What should I know about treating flu symptoms?
Have an emergency contact list available with local resources including addresses and phone numbers
Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted which could include hospitals and other health care facilities, banks, stores, restaurants, government offices, and post offices
Wardenburg Health Center will have information available online (www.colorado.edu/healthcenter) and a nurse triage phone line available during normal business hours to answer questions
Current recommendations are to only treat individuals at risk for complications from the flu with anti-flu medications
How long will I be contagious?
Once ill, you could be contagious for up to 24 hours after the fever has resolved. Students, faculty and staff should not come to class or work and should stay out of social situations until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication.
Should I be wearing a mask?
Wardenburg Student Health Center does not recommend the use of masks by healthy people as a preventative measure. If you are sick, wearing a mask may help to protect others by preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus when you sneeze or cough. Any CU student living in a residence hall, who has influenza-like illness and is coughing and sneezing can obtain a surgical mask from the front desk of their residence hall, beginning on the evening of Friday, August 21. The masks are only for sick people to help prevent others from becoming sick. Wearing a mask provides no health benefit to a healthy person.
Can I get a flu shot?
The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people get vaccinated against seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available in their communities. The H1N1 virus is a different strain of influenza than that of seasonal flu, therefore seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against H1N1 influenza. However, an H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and may be ready for the public this fall. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine – it is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine.
Will Wardenburg Health Center distribute the H1N1 vaccine?
Yes, when available, Wardenburg will distribute the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available based on Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines (possibly mid-October).
- The H1N1 vaccine may require two injections.
- The CDC will work with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to implement the
vaccine distribution guidelines. If the vaccine is in short supply, it will be offered first to those who could develop
serious complications from an influenza virus (infants and young children, pregnant women, diabetics, and those with
a compromised immune system) and health care providers.
Is there a threat to the residence hall general population?
This flu is not more severe than regular flu. The residence halls are not at any increased threat; however, students are in
closer contact with each other than in other areas of our university community. They have more opportunity to spread this
virus, so they need to be extra diligent with washing their hands and covering their noses and mouths when they cough or
sneeze.
Students with ill roommates can still share a room but must be extremely diligent in hand washing, distancing themselves as much as they can from ill roommates, wiping down all surfaces daily with sanitizing wipes, and asking those that are coughing to wear a mask if they can't contain it with a tissue or their sleeve.
Because our residence halls are at full capacity, room changes due to ill roommates cannot be accommodated.
We encourage social distancing during a flu outbreak. Students should:
- Limit unnecessary trips to grocery stores, malls and other crowded places
- Keep space between you and others when using public transportation or studying in the library
- Reduce social contacts and community activities
- Stay away from others as much as possible for 24 hours after your fever has ended without the aid of medications in order
to not be contagious - Consider recuperating at home if possible
Is the university imposing travel restrictions in light of H1N1 virus?
We have not placed any formal restrictions on travel. However, we encourage those who are planning travel to check the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and to be mindful of the travel guidelines issued by the location to which you are traveling. The CDC recommendations are regularly updated in order to account for the shifting pattern of infection across the globe.
