Below are some frequently asked questions about Novel H1N1 (swine) Flu

How has Barry University (BU) responded to the H1N1 virus?

The health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority, and Barry has been working diligently to help our campus community stay healthy.

We are following Centers for Disease Control guidelines and precautions and are maintaining our standard cleaning and sanitizing measures, which are very thorough. We also are working closely with the Florida Department of Health and local county health departments.

Our communications with students have included e-mail updates, posters in residence halls promoting good hygiene and presentations from resident assistants about steps students can take to stay healthy. We also are discussing the H1N1 flu during our orientation sessions for incoming students and parents.

A team of staff, including Health Services, Housing & Residence Life, Environmental Services and Human Resources is meeting and communicating regularly to discuss H1N1 and the university’s response.

Our Health Center has been taking several precautions, such as placing students in masks immediately when they come in with flu symptoms.

At Barry, we are taking the H1N1 flu very seriously. We urge everyone on our campus and in our community to take it seriously as well. Focus on personal prevention and help yourself and others stay healthy.

How does the H1N1 virus spread?

What are the best ways to protect myself from getting the virus?

Barry Student Health Center advises the Barry Community to take the precautions outlined below to help themselves and others stay healthy. This advice is from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever- reducing medications.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?

How can I tell if I have the H1N1 virus, and what should I do if I suspect I have it?

Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Students who are experiencing those symptoms should call or visit the Student Health Center or contact their health care provider. Students diagnosed with Novel H1N1 that are diagnosed by an outside health care provider needs to report the diagnosis to the SHC @ healthservices@mail.barry.edu
Faculty and staff experiencing those symptoms should contact their health care provider.  Faculty and staff need to contact their supervisor and the department of Human Resources.

Am I at a higher risk of getting the H1N1 virus?

People at high risk for complications of the H1N1 virus, and other strains of the seasonal flu, include those with the following conditions: Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, hematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus). Pregnant women also are at high risk for complications. Anyone in those high-risk groups should contact their health care provider if they exhibit flu-like symptoms.

What happens if I’m a student with flu symptoms who visits the BU Student Health Center?

Students experiencing flu-like symptoms are immediately given masks when they arrive at the Health Center. Students experiencing such symptoms are offered a rapid influenza diagnostic test. If that test is positive, then the virus is almost certainly H1N1. The Health Center provider may prescribe the antiviral medication Tamiflu and instruct the student to stay in isolation for seven days after he/she first experienced symptoms or until he/she shows no symptoms for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

Each student at the Health Center with a presumptive diagnosis for H1N1 flu is given a “Patient Care Advisory for H1N1” form with guidelines to help them recover quickly and prevent the spread of the virus.

Although all suspected cases are treated as if they are H1N1, the BU Health Center cannot confirm that a patient has that virus. Only the Florida Department of Health’s laboratory system can confirm that a patient has the H1N1 virus, and the state has strictly limited the number of samples that are tested.

If I am a student diagnosed with influenza, should I recover at home?

Ideally, students can go back home to recover in a more comfortable setting with their families. For some students, however, staying in their residence hall or off-campus apartment may be the best or only option. Students are urged to stay in their rooms, avoid public places such as the cafeteria and library as much as possible and to wear a mask whenever they leave.

If my roommate is diagnosed with influenza, what can I do?

On-campus residents whose roommates are diagnosed with influenza and are staying on campus to recover should first not panic. You may contact their resident assistant to inquire about the availability of a private room where the student can stay temporarily.  If no rooms are available, practice social distancing and follow the personal hygiene techniques that have been previously outlined.  Please remember, individuals with Novel H1N1 are frequently contagious prior to the onset of symptoms.  All students are responsible maintain the cleanliness of their living space.  Cleaning the bathrooms and eating areas frequently is very important.

What should I tell my professors if I am diagnosed with a likely case of H1N1 and need to miss class?

Students can use the "Patient Care Advisory for H1N1" that is signed and dated by the Health Services provider as proof of illness for class absence. Students who would like a copy of the form and are seeing an outside provider can request one from the Health Center by calling 305 899-3750.

Make-up work for class (es) missed must be discussed with and agreed upon by faculty members. Barry Student Health Center appreciates any assistance faculty and staff members can give to students affected by H1N1.

Because of privacy laws concerning protected health information, the Barry Student Health Center staff cannot notify faculty or staff members about a student's illness unless they receive a signed release of confidentiality from the student. Please note: notification of illness will only be sent to professors if the student is seen in the SHC. If you are diagnosed by your private physician, please obtain documentation from your provider.

Where can I find more information about the H1N1 virus?