From:    Barbara Davis, Director, NJIT Health Services

Date:    Monday, September 21, 2009

RE:       H1 N1/Seasonal Flu Update

The CDC recommends individuals to be vaccinated for the annual seasonal flu early, beginning now.  Seasonal flu vaccine is now available for students at NJIT Heath Services and is widely available at many other locations off campus.

The H1N1 vaccine is now in production. It is anticipated that it will be available by mid October.  It will consist of a single dose injection.  Once the vaccine is available to us, NJIT Health Services will make it available to students who fit in the priority groups indicated below.  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the following groups be immunized:

1. Individuals between the ages of 6 months and 24 years
   
2. Pregnant women
   
3. Individuals who are at higher risk for H1N1 complications because of chronic health disorders  (such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, neurological disorders) or compromised immune systems between ages of 25 to 64
   
4. People who live with, or care for children <6 months of age
   
5. Health care and emergency services personnel

Antiviral treatment with a prescription medication will be considered for those who are at high risk for complications should they become ill.  The prescription should be taken within 48 hours of symptom onset.

While there have been no confirmed cases at NJIT, several students have been advised to self-isolate as a precaution. Rutgers-Newark reports six confirmed cases to date. Although the numbers in our vicinity are relatively small, campuses in several parts of the country have seen hundreds of cases. The key to limiting the spread of H1 N1 is prevention. It is therefore very important that all members of the NJIT community adhere to the following:

1. Know the signs and symptoms of flu – see below
   
2. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water or with hand sanitizer. Do this after shaking hands and especially after coughing or sneezing.
   
3. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hand. Dispose of tissues directly into garbage containers, do not leave on table tops, etc.
   
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread that way.
   
5. Don’t share eating utensils, drinking containers.
   
6. Avoid close bodily contact with individuals who appear ill.

The common signs and symptoms of flu include the following; fever/ chills, cough and / or sore throat. Additionally you may experience headache, general body aches, sneezing and/or runny nose, extreme fatigue, nausea and/or vomiting, and poor appetite.

Fever is considered to be a temperature that is equal or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius, or if a person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or is shivering.  If a temperature is taken, it should be taken before a fever reducer such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen are given.  Aspirin should be avoided if under age 20.

What should you do if you believe you have contacted the flu?

• Self isolate.  Stay at home. If you cannot go home, and have symptoms, notify the residence life staff immediately in order that appropriate measures be taken. You should remain at home or in your residence hall room for at least 24 hours after the fever, or symptoms of fever resolve.  Contact the Student Health Services at 973-596-3621 or your health care provider by phone immediately if your symptoms are more severe such as shortness of breath, chest pain, excessive vomiting, cough with blood tinged mucous, or sudden deterioration of your condition.  Do not go to school/ classes/public places.  Avoid contact with others. 
  
• Get plenty of bed rest, increase fluid ingestion such as water, clear soups and broths, ginger ale, weak tea, and/or sports drinks.  Avoid alcohol.
  
• For sore throat, gargle with warm salt water and use lozenges.  Humidify the air with pans of water in the room or with a vaporizer.
  
• Don’t sweat it out by layering on more clothing or blankets then usual since this can increase the body temperature.  Instead take a fever reducer such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). 
  
• Dispose of tissues directly into garbage containers

As stated above, the H1N1 vaccine is anticipated to be available in mid October, and will be available to individuals in certain categories designated by the CDC. See www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm for a more detailed list.  It also recommends that those who are at higher risk for complications from the flu contact your health care provider or Student Health Services for treatment with anti-viral medication if you develop symptoms.

For additional information, you may go to the following websites:  www.cdc.gov/h1n1; www.flu.gov  or call 1-800-CDC- INFO (1-800-232-4636)

We will update you as new information becomes available to us.  If the outbreak becomes more severe, additional measures will be instituted.  Please help us to help you by following the above recommendations, and by following any updates that forwarded to you.