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H1N1 Student FAQs

What is Washington University doing to prepare for the flu?

The University’s Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force has developed detailed policies and procedures in response to this public health concern. Representatives from our School of Medicine have been an integral part of these planning efforts.

What are the symptoms of influenza?

Symptoms of novel H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. It is expected that most people with H1N1 will have a mild to moderate illness and will recover without needing medical care. However, like seasonal flu, anyone with underlying chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes or severe asthma) may be more seriously impacted by novel H1N1 flu.

What should I do if I think I have the flu?

If you are a student on the Danforth Campus and are experiencing flu-like symptoms, contact or visit Student Health Services in the Nathan Dardick House on the South 40. Health Center staff on the Danforth Campus also can be reached during and after business hours by calling 314-935-6666.

If you are a student on the School of Medicine campus, call the Washington University Student Health Services at 314-362-3523.

It is important to follow the advice of professional health care providers.

Will students with flu symptoms be isolated?

Students who are diagnosed with the flu will be asked to self-isolate. What this means is that they will be asked to stay in their living space and to minimize contact with others until they are fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication (such as Tylenol or ibuprofen). Sick students will be provided with thermometers so they will know when they are fever-free and able to return to class. They will be provided with a mask to wear if they must leave their room. We believe that it is best for students who are ill to remain in their day-to-day living environment rather than asking them to move when they are not feeling well.

How will a self-isolated student get food?

Students will be encouraged to have a friend or roommate obtain food for them. If necessary, our Dining Services will deliver food to students who live on campus. Self-isolated students who are unable to arrange for meals on their own, may contact the Dining Service Office at 935-7098. After hours they can call 518-4469.

What if my residence hall roommate becomes ill?

Roommates or suitemates who may be concerned about their own health are being given the opportunity to relocate to other University housing. Any such relocations are voluntary. Roommates or suitemates of students with the flu who wish to relocate, may contact the Office of Residential Life at 935-5050. After hours, contact the RCD (Residential College Director) on call.

What’s being done to minimize risk of on-campus transmission of flu?

We have instituted policies of excluding sick persons from work/class until they have been fever-free for 24 hours, and thus no longer highly contagious, per CDC recommendations. Signs are posted throughout campus reminding students, faculty and staff to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette practices. Hand sanitizing stations have been installed in residence halls, dining facilities and academic buildings throughout the campus. Remind your student of good health etiquette: wash hands frequently, cover coughs or sneezes etc.

Who can I talk to if I’m worried about the flu?

The University is providing flu preparedness training and guidance to its well-established network of RA’s (residential advisors), RCDs (Residential College Directors) and Greek Life House Managers. There is an existing network of residential life counselors and professional staff advisors ready to assist with special needs of individual students. Residential advisors are being asked to reach out to roommates, suitemates or others who may feel distressed over living in close quarters with a student who is ill; to remind students that we have cases of flu every year and that the University has a plan in place to minimize the spread of flu; and to assist students who wish to voluntarily relocate. Residential advisors have been instructed to check in on self-isolated students to see how they’re doing.

What if I become aware of students or others on campus who have flu-like symptoms but are not following recommendations to self-isolate?

Minimizing the spread of flu is a community-wide responsibility. Everyone on campus should be alert for members of the community who may develop flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches etc.) and urge these faculty, staff or students to follow instructions for self-isolation. If you are aware of a student who is not being compliant with the recommendations provided by Student Health Services, please contact the Office of Residential Life or the Greek Life Office for assistance.

Should students wear masks to avoid spreading the flu?

Students who are being self-isolated for flu-like symptoms will be given a surgical mask to wear if they must leave their room or if they are in close contact with others. It is recommended that those who are diagnosed with the flu wear masks in public to minimize the spread of the virus. For those who are not ill, surgical masks are not necessary. Extra masks are available at the Office of Residential Life and the Greek Life Office.

Should sick students attend routine classes or at least show up for important tests?

Students with flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, body aches) should not attend class until they have been fever-free without fever-reducing medications (such as Tylenol or ibuprofen) for 24 hours.

What happens if a student is sick and cannot keep up with homework, tests and other academic requirements?

Students who have been diagnosed with the flu should contact their professors and their academic advisor. The University administration has encouraged all academic branches of the university to develop plans to ensure that students with flu-symptoms are given assistance in keeping up with academic requirements. Deans and directors of individual schools and programs are currently developing protocols for assisting students with academic issues.

Will students who become sick with flu-like symptoms be allowed to return home?

Students who live reasonably close to campus and are experiencing flu-like symptoms may return home for 48 to 72 hours or until they are fever free without the aid of fever-reducing medications for a period of 24 hours. Students returning home should not use trains, planes, buses or other forms of public transportation that hold potential for transmitting the virus to the general public. Students experiencing flu-like symptoms should not drive themselves, but arrange for transportation with family or friends. We will provide masks to individuals riding in the vehicle with the ill student.

Should students get flu shots?

Vaccination is the best prevention strategy. We strongly encourages all students to get a seasonal flu vaccination starting in early September (a full six weeks earlier than our usual start for fall flu shots).  The times and locations of our flu shot clinics are posted on the Student Health Services Web site (shs.wustl.edu). Though this vaccine will not protect you from the novel H1N1 virus, obtaining a seasonal flu shot will help prevent contracting the seasonal flu and from passing it on to others.

H1N1 vaccine is still in development and is expected to be available in limited quantities in late fall. When available, we will provide more information about obtaining this vaccine. We are uncertain when the federal government will initiate vaccinations for college age students.

What other strategies can I use to prevent infection?

Given that a novel H1N1 vaccine is likely to become available after the first cases occur on campus, other prevention strategies are more important than ever this year:

Try to avoid contact with sick people.