Prevention, symptoms and treatment
Prevention
- Get vaccinated.
- If sneezing or coughing, cover nose and mouth with tissue and throw it away.
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Avoid people who are sick.
- Clean common areas, such as doorknobs.
- Avoid shaking hands. Do not share drinks, utensils, lip gloss, etc.
- Use hand sanitizers and sanitizing stations when you can't wash your hands.
- Use disposable wipes for keyboards, desk area.
- Try to remain at least 6 feet away from others.
Tacoma-Pierce County info on use of face masks [pdf]
Personal Planning
Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, tissues and other related items might be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
The UW Tacoma Student Health and Welfare office, located in MAT 253, has face masks and hand sanitizer available.
Business Continuity Planning
Supervisors are encouraged to be prepared for maximum flexibility during this period. This flexibility may include cross-training, flexible core working hours, working from home, etc. Supervisors should review each position individually and as part of the team to determine what flexibility may be achieved. Some positions may not be open to as much flexibility as others, based on the type of work performed. Supervisors are encouraged to work with HR t evaluate alternative work options.
- Additional information: H1N1 Information for Supervisors [pdf]
- Administrative Business Continuity Toolkit
Symptoms
The flu is different from a cold. It usually comes on suddenly and may include these symptoms:
- Fever (usually high)
- Body and muscle aches
- Chills
- Headache
- Extreme fatigue and lack of energy
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur (more common with H1N1)
Call your health provider if you have any of these symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
Treatment
- Stay home for five to seven days and for at least 24 hours after your fever (100 degrees F) is gone (without using fever-reducing medicines), except to get medical care or for other necessities.
- Keep away from others as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus.
- Acetaminephen and ibuprofen can be taken to reduce fever.
- Get plenty of sleep; drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy, balanced diet.
- Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety to promote healthy immune response.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Early treatment with antiviral medications may prevent more serious symptoms.
Don't infect others
People infected with seasonal and 2009 H1N1 flu may be able to infect others one day before getting sick and up to five to seven days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems.
You are contagious even if you're taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu.
Stay home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever of 100 degrees that has not been treated with fever reducers, such as acetaminaphen and ibuprofen.
If you have a sick family member
Employees who are well but have an ill family member at home with 2009 H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
