The Ohio State University

onCampus

• Help
• Buckeye Link
• Map
• Find People
• Webmail
• Search

  Search Ohio State Go

Take care but don’t panic

Posted on | October 8, 2009 | 578 views |

By Jeff McCallister

How many times since the start of the academic year have you seen a reminder to cough into your elbow? Or to avoid shaking hands?

Worries over the flu have been looming like distant thunderclouds since the first news reports about what was then referred to as “swine flu” came out of Mexico.

Public health officials immediately saw the potential for pandemic in the virus strain and began making plans even then to battle the disease (now known as H1N1 or “influenza-like illness”).

“There seems to be a great deal of public perception that the threat has been overblown,” said Tim Buckley, chair of the Division of Environmental Health Sciences in Ohio State’s College of Public Health. “Part of the appropriate public health response is precaution — if we’re going to err on the side of extraordinary measures, that’s the side to err on, because all the ingredients are there to warrant that caution.”

The fact that the strain has appeared fairly benign so far has made caution a difficult case to make to the public. The problem is, it’s impossible to predict if and when a mutation could happen that turns deadly. The pandemics of 1957-58 and 1968-69 were relatively mild, but the 1918-19 pandemic mutated two or three times during its span and killed an estimated 30 million-50 million people worldwide.

“That’s what we’re taking all these precautions against,” Buckley said. “There’s always that possibility for a mutation that can result in a high rate of morbidity — you don’t ever know how it’s going to play out in terms of public health impact.

“If that scenario doesn’t play out, we can all breathe a big sigh of relief,” he said,” but that worst-case scenario is not a stretch. It’s already occurred within the last 100 years, so our charge is to keep the idea of caution on the frontburner.”

Everything you need to know about the flu — for now

If it seems as if information regarding both seasonal and H1N1 influenza is constantly changing, that’s because it is.

Health officials are constantly monitoring the outbreak in order to keep the latest information available to the public.

Ohio State leaders have developed a Web site, flu.osu.edu, to keep faculty, staff and students informed with the most up-to-date information available.

The site contains everything from vaccination schedules to information about how individual units can react when and if pandemic strikes.

Below is a sampling of what’s discussed:

What are the symptoms of H1N1 flu?
The symptoms are similar to the symptoms of regular seasonal flu and include: Fever greater than 100 degrees; cough; sore throat; body aches; headache; chills and fatigue; respiratory congestion. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with this virus.

Like seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions and greater risk of severe illness in those with compromised immune systems.

Should I get a seasonal flu shot?
Seasonal flu vaccine is the vaccine offered every year in the fall. It covers you against three common types of influenza. These types are chosen each year as the ones most likely to infect our community during the flu season (December to March). This vaccine does not give protection against H1N1 flu. Since H1N1 is a “novel” or new virus, it could not be included in the seasonal vaccine.

So, why get the seasonal vaccine?
With H1N1 influenza going around, it is important to be immune to the more common types of influenza.

Not knowing how much H1N1 flu may be here in the winter months, it will help all of us if we can keep seasonal flu illness low.

Influenza virus is very good at changing into new forms. It is possible that H1N1 could combine with one of the seasonal types and become more dangerous. That combination could occur if a person is sick with H1N1 and a seasonal type at the same time.

Where can I get a seasonal flu shot?
Faculty, staff and Medical Center personnel can receive a free flu vaccination at one of several campus locations through Nov. 13. Dates and locations can be found elsewhere on this page and at hr.osu.edu/mhcs/flu/index.aspx. Flu vaccine also is available through Employee Health Services at Cramblett Hall.

Participating Kroger pharmacies also will provide flu vaccinations free of charge to Ohio State employees. Dependents are not eligible. You must present one of the following: BuckID, Medical Center ID or both your health insurance card and a valid driver’s license. See flu.osu.edu for participating Kroger locations.

How can my department prepare?

In addition to maintaining hygienic and sanitation procedures, you can do three things:

• Update your business continuity plan: During times of peak H1N1 outbreak, as much as 40 percent of normal workforce staff might be unavailable. In addition, supplies may be unavailable and some third-party services may stop. Make sure you have a business continuity plan to continue your critical functions under adverse circumstances.
• Set up employees to work at home: Ensure that technical and policy requirements are in place; have staff practice ahead of time.
• Prepare yourself and your family at home (water, food, medicines, infant supplies, pet supplies, etc.).

Can a supervisor direct an employee to go home if they are ill?
Yes. A supervisor can direct an employee to go home pending inquiry into the employee’s medical condition. Supervisors should not make medical diagnosis but must consult with appropriate HR staff and department leaders before making a determination to direct an employee home.

What can I do if an ill student comes to class?
Instructors cannot require or force students to leave class because they are ill. However, instructors should encourage ill students to remain at home until they are fully recovered.

The university has asked faculty to excuse ill students and make reasonable efforts to provide for makeup work.

Additionally, faculty have been asked to waive the requirement of a doctor’s note for an excused absence, using the “Explanatory Statement for Absence from Class” that can be found on the Wilce Health Center Web site.

Simple ways to curb the spread of the flu

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle through rest, diet, exercise and relaxation.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner if soap and water are not available. Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Avoid touching your nose, mouth and eyes. Germs spread this way.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or cough and sneeze into your elbow. Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
• Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, computer keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
• Do not use other workers’ phones, desks, offices or other work tools and equipment. If you need to use a co-worker’s phone, desk or other equipment, clean it first.
• Don’t spread the flu! If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home until at least 24 hours after you are free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines.
• Get vaccinated!

Comments