What is H1N1 Flu?

What is H1N1 Flu?
The H1N1 flu is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a new type of A influenza virus not seen in humans before this year.

How does H1N1 Flu spread?
Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with flu. Sometimes people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Infected people may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to seven or more days after becoming sick. You cannot get this flu from eating pork or pork products.

How can I protect myself against H1N1 Flu?
The most important precaution that you can take to avoid getting the flu is by following proper hygiene practices:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Regularly disinfect communal areas and any shared equipment.
• Visit the UCSF Infection Control website for infection control guidance

What are the symptoms of H1N1 Flu?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. In rare cases, severe illness and death have been reported. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

What should I do if I feel sick?
• Stay home from work or school. Go home if you become ill at work or school.
• Limit contact with others in order to keep from infecting them.
• Follow your customary departmental/programmatic procedures for sick leave notification.
• Contact your personal healthcare provider for severe symptoms or if your symptoms do not resolve.

Should I visit UCSF Occupational Health Services if I feel sick?
As with all illnesses, UCSF students, staff and faculty should contact their health care provider for severe symptoms or if their symptoms do not resolve. UCSF is concerned about the spread of H1N1 flu. UCSF personnel should contact Occupational Health Services (OHS) for assistance related to H1N1 flu under the following circumstances for an exposure or for a Return-To-Work Clearance.

Contact OHS if
• If you are diagnosed with H1N1 influenza by your personal health care provider, contact OHS for specific instructions for Return-to-Work Clearance.
• For other illnesses not related to H1N1 flu, follow your usual departmental/programmatic procedures for Return-to-Work Clearance.
• Follow existing UCSF Medical Center and campus instructions for reporting an occupational exposure to any communicable disease (including H1N1). Visit the UCSF Occupational Health Program.

Is there a treatment for the H1N1 Flu?
Yes, antiviral drugs are available for the treatment of H1N1 flu. It is important to note that the majority of cases of H1N1 flu have been mild and most infections will resolve without medication. Please contact your physician with questions about antiviral drugs and whether you should take them.

Is the flu vaccine effective against the H1N1 Flu?
No. There is currently no vaccine available to protect against the H1N1 flu.

I have upcoming travel plans. Is there anything I need to do?
Faculty, staff and students who register their UC business trips through the UC travel system can be automatically notified about emerging global health threats or disasters. If you are planning to travel, please visit the UCSF Risk Management Travel Safety website.

What is UCSF doing to protect faculty, students and staff from the H1N1 flu?
Campus and UCSF Medical Center infection control, occupational health, and environmental health programs continue surveillance and monitoring activities and confer regularly to address the UCSF preparation and response to the outbreak.. UCSF Today will issue updates on the H1N1 Flu outbreak as necessary.