- About Us
- HFCC Guarantees
- HFCC Mission
- Board of Trustees/Officers
- HFCC Points of Pride
- HFCC Accreditations
- HFCC Foundation
- HFCC News
- HFCC Events
- Research
- Get Email Updates
H1N1 Influenza Background, Prevention, and Care Guidance
As you've heard on the news, there is a possibility that H1N1 influenza may reappear in southeast Michigan this fall. HFCC has prepared information on what you can do to help prevent the spread of influenza and what to do if you become ill. This information is provided below. Please refer to this website for updates and notifications about influenza during the semester.
Background
The H1N1 influenza virus is a new type of flu causing illness in people. This virus is spreading from person to person, similar to the way seasonal flu spreads.
H1N1 symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people infected with this virus have also reported diarrhea and vomiting. See www.flu.gov for more information.
Prevention
- Avoid contact with sick or infected people whenever possible.
- Wash hands often with soap and water or alcohol based hand sanitizers.
- Use disposable wipes to clean items such as keyboards for each use.
- Cough or sneeze into tissues and throw them away immediately.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve if a tissue is not available.
- Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs are spread this way.
- Don’t share personal items.
Care Guidance
- If you have flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and limit interaction with other people, except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever. Fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicines such as aspirin, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen.
- Get plenty of rest and drink clear fluids such as water, broth, and sports drinks to keep from becoming dehydrated.
- You should stay away from others even if you are taking anti-viral drugs for treatment of flu.
- Seek medical attention promptly if you have a medical condition that puts you at severe risk from the flu or if you develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, or rapid breathing.