(see also CDC information)
CDC has determined that novel H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.
Spread of novel H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
Illness with the new H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred. In seasonal flu, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70% of people hospitalized with this novel H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at "high risk" of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease.
There will be two flu vaccines this fall, one for seasonal flu and one for novel H1N1. CDC has indicated that the seasonal flu vaccine campaign will start in September this year. With so many people expected to become ill this fall from the novel H1N1 strain, the more individuals vaccinated against seasonal flu the better. The Health Services Center is working closely with state and local public health agencies to ensure free access to the H1N1 vaccine when it is available.
No, if you are sick with flu like symptoms, you should contact the student health services center at (973)353-5231 or call your own doctor. Seasonal influenza can replicate the H1N1 symptoms and virus can shed. To avoid spreading this disease on campus, we recommend you go home and recuperate. If you are not able to go home, contact the housing/residence life staff immediately for guidance, and other options.
If you are coughing and sneezing in class but don't have the other symptoms associated with the flu or H1N1 virus, or it is clear you have hay fever or some other innocuous sneeze, you should not leave class. However, if you are showing other symptoms, you should advise your professor or dean of students and leave immediately, and contact Health Services. People infected with seasonal and novel H1N1 flu transmit the virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after.
A CLOSING OF CAMPUS DUE TO H1N1 FLU OUTBREAK IS NOT ANTICIPATED. Rutgers University rarely closes. However, in the event of a significant outbreak of H1N1 flu virus, the chancellor and the administrative staff, along with the deans, will notify members of the community and communicate the operational plan.
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir or zanamivir for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with novel H1N1 flu virus. Antiviral drugs are prescription medicines (pills, liquid or an inhaled powder) that fight against the flu by keeping flu viruses from reproducing in your body. If you get sick, antiviral drugs can make your illness milder and make you feel better faster. They may also prevent serious flu complications. During the current pandemic, the priority use for influenza antiviral drugs is to treat severe influenza illness (for example hospitalized patients) and people who are sick who have a condition that places them at high risk for serious flu-related complications.
Blackboard can be used as a tool for communicating with students, providing readings and alternate course assignments, as well as class discussion and collaboration. Training for various scenarios is available at http://blackboardinfo.newark.rutgers.edu.
This site will be updated periodically and as the situation warrants.
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