Washington University, like much of the region, continues to experience an increase in the number of cases of presumed 2009 H1N1 influenza. Thus far, all cases have been mild to moderate.
During September, about 70 Danforth Campus students with confirmed cases of Influenza A recuperated from the illness while in self-isolation and returned to normal schedules.
WUSTL continues to monitor the situation closely and has regular updates at wustl.edu/flu.
The University will continue to offer seasonal flu vaccines to its students, and it expects to have supplies of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine available for distribution soon.
Health officials emphasize that many individuals need to get two vaccines — both a seasonal and a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine — to be protected against both forms of flu.
Seasonal flu vaccinations
The University is providing seasonal flu shots in a variety of ways.
For Danforth Campus students, Student Health Services is making seasonal flu vaccines available at a cost of $12 at its Habif Health & Wellness Center. The complete schedule can be found at shs.wustl.edu/medicalServices/flu_shots_0910.htm.
For Danforth benefits-eligible faculty and staff, seasonal flu shots will be made available at no cost Nov. 3, 4 and 5. Eligible Danforth employees were notified by e-mail or postcard beginning Oct. 8 and could register either online or by contacting the benefits team flu shot coordinator.
Reservation cards will be mailed to registered Danforth employees Oct. 26.
The 2009 seasonal flu vaccination program for School of Medicine employees was a success. As of Oct. 9, nearly 60 percent of School of Medicine employees had received free vaccinations. Given the high and early participation rate by School of Medicine faculty and staff, the originally published seasonal flu vaccination schedule ended Oct. 14.
The seasonal flu vaccine is not expected to protect against the 2009 H1N1 flu.
H1N1 vaccinations
WUSTL still was waiting as the Record went to press for its shipment of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Details on the availability of 2009 H1N1 flu shots will be posted at wustl.edu/flu as soon as the supply arrives and distribution plans are confirmed. There will be no charge for H1N1 vaccines.
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be made available based on Centers for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC) recommendations, with initial supplies going first to people identified to be at highest risk of flu complications and to certain caregivers, including:
• pregnant women;
• persons who live with or provide care for children under 6 months of age, such as parents, siblings and day-care providers;
• health-care and emergency medical services personnel;
• individuals aged 6 months to 24 years;
• persons from ages 25-64 who are at higher risk for complications of influenza because of chronic health disorders (including asthma) or compromised immune systems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine for persons 10 years old and older. The vaccine can be administered at the same time as other vaccines.
Because the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is an FDA-approved product using the same facilities, materials and technologies used to make the annual seasonal flu vaccines, it is believed that the safety profile will be similar to seasonal flu vaccine.
The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is not expected to protect against seasonal influenza.
In addition to vaccination, other ways to prevent all forms of the flu are getting proper rest, nutrition and exercise; regularly washing hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers; covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing; coughing or sneezing into the elbow or upper arm; and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth.
It is important for all people who are sick with flu-like symptoms to stay home and recover — this will help to reduce the spread of infection. Those with suspected or confirmed flu should not return to class or work until they have been free of fever for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medications. Symptoms usually last a few days to a week.
Common symptoms of 2009 H1N1 influenza are similar to those of seasonal influenza and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
Treatment is the same and includes over-the-counter medications to treat flu symptoms and, in some instances, prescription anti-viral medications to reduce the severity of the flu. The great majority of 2009 H1N1 flu cases in the United States have been mild and have not required hospitalization.
The CDC does not recommend that universities cancel classes or large events to contain the 2009 H1N1 unless the disease becomes severe and widespread.
For the latest information on 2009 H1N1, please visit the CDC Web site at cdc.gov/H1N1FLU.