H1N1 Information for the Providence Campus

JWUFAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
H1N1 Flu and You

What should the JWU community do to protect themselves from getting sick? Wash hands frequently with warm water and soap and/or use an alcohol-based hand gel. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth without washing your hands first. You should cough or sneeze into your sleeve or arm. If you use a tissue, immediately dispose of the tissue. Also, do not share drinks, sodas, cell phones or lip balm with others. For more information, visit the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

What is the university doing to contain the virus? We are educating and informing our students, staff and faculty about this virus and how to protect themselves and others. We have increased the availability of hand sanitizers throughout campus and are increasing the frequency with which common areas are cleaned. We will update our messages as new information becomes available.

Are there populations that are at a higher risk for complications from H1N1 infection? According to the CDC, people who may be at higher risk for complications from H1N1 flu include pregnant women, people over age 64, and people of any age with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease. People who are high risk should self-monitor for symptoms of flu-like illness and should consult with their medical provider if they do occur.

Is there a threat to the residence hall general population? According to the CDC, this new flu is currently not expected to be more severe than seasonal flu; however, since a vaccine against the H1N1 virus is not expected until later this fall, we must work as a community to protect those in our population who are at an increased risk. In the residence halls, students may be in closer contact with each other than in other areas of our university community, with more opportunities to spread the virus. Accordingly, residence hall students need to be extra diligent about washing their hands and covering their noses and mouths when they cough and sneeze.

If I think I might have H1N1, what should I do? If you have a fever along with any respiratory symptoms, you are advised to stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. The symptoms of the H1N1 virus are similiar to symptoms of seasonal influenza and generally include a fever of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit plus a cough, sore throat, body aches, headace, chills or fatigue. If your symptoms become more severe (for example a 101 or 102 degree fever which doesn’t come down with fever reducing medication or other symptoms develop) or if you are concerned for any reason, you should call JWU Health Services or your health provider. If you are in the "high risk" population - this includes people 65 years and older, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease – you should contact your health care provider immediately if you are exhibiting symptoms of the flu.

Will I be tested to confirm whether I have the H1N1 influenza virus? Following Centers of Disease Control guidance, at this time the Rhode Island Department of Health will not be testing every suspected case of H1N1 that occurs this fall.

If I am sick, should I go to class? If you are exhibiting symptoms of the flu - fever of greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit plus a cough, sore throat, body aches, headace, chills or fatigue - you are advised to stay away from class. Residence hall students who live nearby and are able to travel by private car are encouraged to go home until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine. PLEASE NOTE: Students who are not able to go to class must contact each of their faculty members to notify them of their sickness and make arrangements regarding course work and missed assignments. Students who may need to exceed allowable absences due to H1N1 illness should contact their faculty members to discuss what their options may be under the attendance policy.

If my roommate(s) is/are sick, will I be moved? At this time, we do not expect to relocate students. Ill students will be encouraged to self-isolate as much as possible, practice good hygiene and good respiratory etiquette. Roommates should also adhere to good hygiene practices and respiratory etiquette, not share cups, utensils, drinks, or lip balms, or use each other’s cellphones or computer keyboards, and try not to have close face-to-face contact with an ill roommate.

How will I get meals if I am sick? Ill students should ask their roommate or a friend to bring them their meals. If an ill student has a JWU meal plan and lives in a residence hall, the student can request a JWU University Dining Card from their residence hall director. The ill student’s roommate or friend can present this card at any JWU dining facility and bring back a take out meal. If an ill student living in a residence hall with a JWU meal plan does not have a roommate or friend who can help, he or she can contact JWU University Dining at 401-598-1433, between 8:30am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday, to arrange a meal delivery. Weekend delivery can be arranged by calling University Dining.

Will the university close if there are a high number of H1N1 cases on campus? The university will make decisions regarding a change of normal operations based on consultation with the Rhode Island Department of Health. We will monitor the situation closely and adjust our plans if needed.

Can I get a flu shot? The CDC recommends that people get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. As in the past, JWU Health Services will offer seasonal flu shots for our student population after the start of school. The H1N1 virus is a different strain of influenza than that of seasonal flu; therefore, seasonal flu vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against H1N1 influenza. An H1N1 vaccine is currently in production and is expected to be distributed in limited supply in late fall of 2009. We do not know at this time when the vaccine will become widely available. The H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine; it is intended to be used alongside the seasonal flu vaccine.

Should I wear a mask? At this time, JWU Health Services does not dispense masks. The Rhode Island Department of Health is not recommending the use of masks by healthy people as a preventive measure. If you are sick and visit JWU Health Services, you may be asked to wear a mask in the waiting room to protect others who may have underlying medical conditions.

How will you communicate with me? Updates will be sent through student and faculty/staff e-memos. Updated information will also appear on the JWU H1N1 webpage. When appropriate, the university may use its emergency notification system, Connect-Ed, to provide messages that require immediate attention. Students and faculty members should make sure that their contact information is up-to-date in uconnect; staff should ensure their contact information is up-to-date by following the directions on the Helpdesk website.

Important Note: While JWU will be updating this page from time to time, you should visit the websites for the CDC, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, and/or your state or local department of health for the latest official information.