H1N1 influenza

General H1N1 influenza information

To the university community:

Many individuals including members of the university community are concerned about the H1N1 influenza pandemic and the risk to themselves and their family at home, at school and in the workplace. The media continues to update the public daily on the number of suspected and probable cases as well as the number of deaths. However, very little information is reaching the general public about the actual risk of contracting the virus, mode of transmission and prevention methods.

Because we are a public institution with a large, diverse and somewhat transient community, it is likely that we have had and currently have cases of H1N1 at Concordia already. The university is actively monitoring the situation and the emergency management team is meeting regularly and implementing steps to offset the impact that an influenza pandemic can have on Concordia.

The active collaboration of all Concordia students, faculty and staff is critical to our ability to manage this situation. Specific guidelines and information are provided below and contingency planning is ongoing. We will keep the university community informed of any significant issues as the situation evolves.

What should I do if I have flu symptoms?

If you have flu symptoms, the university is asking you to “self isolate”: stay home, keep away from others, and get plenty of rest. You should not go out except to get medical care or for other necessities for the duration that you are experiencing a fever. Once you no longer have a fever you should remain “self isolated” for an extra 24 hours before returning to your normal activities (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication).

• Staff and faculty are asked to check in with their department or Faculty as per the normal sick day procedure.

• Students should inform their professor or T.A. if an illness prevents them from fulfilling their academic requirements.

For more information on how to care for yourself or a family member, consult the guide lines issued by the Quebec government on H1N1, What you need to know, what you need to do [PDF]

How do I know if I have the flu?

You probably have the flu if you experience the sudden onset of a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or more accompanied by one or several of the following: cough, headache, fatigue or weakness, body or muscle aches, sore throats, chills.

Fever is the most important determining factor between the common cold and the flu but there are other similarities. Refer to the comparison chart below.

How long does the flu last?

Flu symptoms usually last between 5 and 7 days. Recovery can be longer for people who are elderly or have chronic disease that may increase the risk of complications.

Can I catch the flu more than once?

Yes. There are many different flu strains. Along with H1N1, several seasonal flu strains circulate annually during regular flu season. Once you have been sick with a particular strain of the flu, or if you have had your annual flu shot, you will be immunized against that particular strain of the flu and not get it again. You are still vulnerable to other strains of flu.

How is the H1N1 virus spread?

The H1N1 virus is spread from one person to the other by means of contaminated droplets. These droplets are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. (Nasal congestion and sneezing are uncommon with the flu). The virus is not airborne and therefore does not linger in the air waiting to be inhaled. When a person coughs, the infected droplets travel about 1 meter before they fall on the surrounding surfaces. The influenza virus can survive for up to 7 hours on hard surfaces.

Therefore, if you touch a contaminated surface or shake hands with an infected person who has not washed their hands and then you touch your own eyes, nose or mouth, you could get infected. The closer the physical contact with an infected person, the greater the risk of getting the flu. Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you have the flu and are coughing without covering your mouth, you are likely spreading the virus to others.

How can I protect myself?

As simple as it sounds, the best way to protect oneself from all viruses and bacteria is by washing your hands frequently. Good hand-washing practices mean warm water and soap and washing for 15 seconds. If you are unable to wash your hands at a sink, one of the alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used. Remember to wash your hands before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and touching surfaces that may have been contaminated by others. Encourage your friends and co-workers to wash their hands frequently.

• Social distancing
Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter between you and a person who is sneezing or coughing. Under normal circumstances, droplets will fall onto surfaces no more than one meter from a person who is coughing or sneezing. Arrange furniture and service counters to favour an appropriate distance. You can also establish a no hand shaking practice and reduce the frequency of face to face meetings in your office.

• Keep shared surface areas clean
Shared surfaces and high traffic areas such as door handles, public service counters, reception areas, photocopy machines, computer keyboard and mouse can become contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of these surfaces can help to prevent the spread of the virus. Promote frequent hand washing among co –workers and or classmates and use antibacterial wipes to disinfect shared surfaces before using them.

• Cover up when you cough or sneeze
Use a tissue, or raise your arm up to your face to cough or sneeze into your sleeve. If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands immediately.

I’m exposed to many people, how can I guarantee that I will not get h1n1?

No matter if you are at work or in the classroom, a pandemic means that a new strain of influenza virus, to which humans have little or no immunity, is spreading quickly, among humans on a global scale. Therefore you are at risk of contracting H1N1 if you are a human on the planet earth. This said, you can greatly diminish your risk of getting H1N1 by using the methods explained previously in “how can I protect myself” but generally speaking, you are no more at risk at work or in the classroom than you are shopping at the grocery store, on the metro or bus, or visiting with your family and friends, as long as you are using the basic prevention methods explained above.

Why do some people get sicker than others and some even die?

Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people), and serious problems from influenza can happen at any age. People age 65 years and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease), pregnant women, and young children are more likely to get complications from influenza. Pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections are three examples of complications from influenza. The flu can make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu, and people with chronic congestive heart failure may have a worsening of this condition that is triggered by the flu. However, most people who get influenza will recover in a few days to less than 2 weeks. It is important to remember that seasonal flu affects 10 to 25% of Canadians each year. While the majority who become sick recover, regular seasonal flu results in an average of 20,000 hospitalizations and 4,000 deaths in Canada each year. The severity of the current strain of H1N1 is very similar to our regular seasonal flu but because we have no natural immunity and no vaccine is available, many more people will come down with the “H1N1 pandemic influenza” than the regular seasonal flu.

What about wearing a face mask?

Neither Health Canada nor the Centers for Disease Control recommends the use of surgical masks or other face masks or respirators as a prevention method for the average citizen. Face masks are only recommended for healthcare professional who are in close, physical contact with sick patients such as nurses, doctors and paramedics. Surgical masks are given to people in hospital or medical clinic waiting rooms, who have flu like symptoms and are coughing. This is meant to limit the spread of contaminated droplets they may be producing when they cough, while they wait for further medical assistance and treatment.

At Concordia, face masks may be worn by Health Services staff while treating patients with flu-like symptoms. Security officers may also use a face mask while performing first aid on a person who has flu-like symptoms. Surgical masks may be provided by Concordia Security or Health Services to people who are coughing and have flu symptoms while they are being attended to.

Other H1N1 information and resources

• Quebec pandemic flu information
• Fight Flu.ca
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Info-Santé can be reached externally by telephone at 8-1-1
Services Quebec has set up a toll-free information line from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-877-644-4545 (in English, French and Spanish).