26 August, 2009

Zayed University continues to monitor the potential impact of the H1N1 influenza situation on our community and in the U.A.E. 

We are following the recommendations provided by the local health authorities to ensure that our community stays healthy.

We have established an H1N1 Awareness & Planning Committee who are actively developing strategies to keep our students and employees healthy as well as planning for any contingencies.

Watch for updates on this website as new material  will be added frequently.   You will also notice posters and new signage around our campus to create awareness about H1N1 and how you can prevent illness.

The University will notify the campus community of any new precautions.

• General Information & Precautions
• What should I do if I am sick?
• Should I go to work or school if I have the flu?
• What do I do if I must be away from work or school at ZU due to illness?
• Links

What is the H1N1 virus?

 H1N1 (formerly referred to as swine flu) is a new type of influenza A virus circulating worldwide.   Since this is a new, or novel, type of influenza, many people are susceptible to it and lack any prior immunity.

How does the H1N1 virus spread?
H1N1 virus spreads in the same way as seasonal flu. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person via droplets through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. People also may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

What can I do to stay healthy?

You can prevent getting infected by avoiding close contact with people who show influenza-like symptoms (trying to maintain a distance of about 1 metre if possible) and taking the following pre-cautions:

• Wash your hands often and vigoursly with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.  Sneeze into the Sleeve - Using your elbow is better than sneezing into the air if you do not find tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who might be ill.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness,  stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever and symptoms are gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
• Reduce the time spent in crowded settings if possible.
• Improve airflow in your living space by opening windows

Stay healthy with healthy habits

Take care of your immune system and general health:

• Get plenty of sleep
• Be physically active      
• Manage your stress
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Eat nutritious food

Other important actions that you can take are:

Be informed: follow public health advice regarding potential school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.

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 rubs, tissues and other related items could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

Who is most vulnerable to this virus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), people with pre-existing medical conditions, pregnant womenor people over 65 years of age may be at higher risk of complications from H1N1 virus.

Seek medical attention if you have flu-like symptoms and are in a higher risk category.

 What should I do if I am sick?

If you feel sick, have fever, cough or sore throat or other flu symptoms:

• stay at home and keep away from work, school or crowds;
• rest and take plenty of fluids;
• cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing and, if using tissues, make sure you dispose of them carefully. Clean your hands immediately after with soap and water or cleanse them with an alcohol-based hand rub;
• if you do not have a tissue close by when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth as much as possible with the crook of your elbow;
• use a mask to help you contain the spread of droplets when you are around others, but be sure to do so correctly;
• inform family and friends about your illness and try to avoid contact with other people;
• avoid travel or see a health professional before traveling if sick

 How do I know if I have H1N1?

You may not be able to tell the difference between seasonal flu and H1N1 without medical help. Most people don't get really sick when they get this virus but it can be serious for some people (those under 2 years of age, over 65 years of age, pregnant women and people who have health problems).

Typical symptoms to watch for are similar to seasonal flu and include high fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny or stuffy nose, headache, chills and fatigue.

In addition to the other symptoms, the fever with H1N1 influenza is often 38 degrees C or higher and starts suddenly; there may also be a dry cough lasting for a few weeks, an aching body and the sick person will feel very weak and tired.

Some people who have been infected with the virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

A confirmation of H1N1 can only be made through a laboratory blood test.

When should someone seek medical care?

Fortunately, information indicates that taking care at home - resting, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches - is adequate for recovery in most cases. However, if worried or uncertain, do see your medical practitioner or primary  health care center/clinic. 

The Abu Dhabi Health Authority website recommends that if you have flu symptom to take the following actions:

1. During sustained transmission:

•  
  • Rest at home and have a good episode of rest.
  • Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
  • Have more intake of vitamin C. Citrus like lemon and orange are rich of vitamin C.
  • Avoid cold drinks and ice cream
  • Avoid stress and hard work

2. Seek medical attention if:

Symptoms get worse or Emergency signs appears

• You have chronic disease e.g. diabetes, heart disease, chronic respiratory illness
• You are pregnant
• Visit the nearest clinic or primary health care center.
• The doctor may test you for influenza and decide whether influenza antiviral treatment is indicated.  Antiviral drugs can be prescribed for the treatment and/or prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.

You should seek medical care if you experience high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures). Seeking medical attention is also suggested if you are in a higher risk group.

Should I go to work or school if I have the flu but am feeling OK?

NO! Whether you have H1N1 or a seasonal influenza, you should stay home and away from work through the duration of your symptoms. Stay home from work or school for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is a precaution that can protect your work colleagues, fellow students and others.

What do I do if I think I have H1N1?

Go to a government or other medical clinic, physician or hospital emergency wearing a protective mask.  There they may conduct tests to determine if you have an influenza virus and if so, if it is H1N1. 

What do I do if I am diagnosed with H1N1?

The health care provider will determine an appropriate course of action for treatment.  You must also contact Human Resources (if an employee) or Student Services (if a student) immediately.

• Do not go to school or work.
• Unless necessary for medical care, persons with the flu should not leave the home during the potential contagious period and should be in semi- isolation at home.
• People with H1N1 influenza virus infection start to be contagious one day prior to the symptoms and for 7 days after the onset of the symptoms. That means that an infected person may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before s/he feels sick, as well as during sickness.
• Infected people should be considered potentially contagious as long as they are symptomatic and possiblY for up to 7 days following illness onset.

After I have recovered after being diagnosed with H1N1, when can I resume work or classes?

Stay home from work or school for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

What do I do if I must be away from work or school at ZU due to illness?

The usual procedures for reporting absences due to illness remain in place for ZU students and employees. 

If you are a ZU student follow the usual procedures:

If you become ill on campus, go to Student Services to get excused to go home. On the Dubai Campus you may also visit the Wellness Center where the nurse can assess your situation. Make sure you get a medical excuse if you will exceed the absences you are allowed in your classes and talk to the Assistant Dean of Students on your campus when you return.

If you are a ZU employee:

• The usual procedures for reporting absences and sick leave will be followed.  Immediately contact your supervisor to advise them of the absence and complete a leave request as soon as possible.
• If you are diagnosed with H1N1 virus, advise Human Resources.
• Sick leave provisions will apply for absences related to illness; a doctors certificate is required for absences of three or more working days.
• If you are an employee on the Dubai campus when you are feeling unwell, you may go to the nurse's office in the Wellness Centre.  She can help you to assess your situation.

Links

Be aware!  For more extensive information, have a look at the following websites:

Abu Dhabi Health Authority

 http://www.haad.ae/HAAD/Default.aspx?alias=www.haad.ae/haad/swine-flu

Dubai Health Authority

http://www.dohms.gov.ae/default

Center for Disease Control

 http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm

World Health Organization

http://www.wpro.who.int/health_topics/h1n1/

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/what/en/index.html

 Working together, we can all assist and control the spread of this virus and protect the health of our students, employees and families.