September 2, 2009
| URI's Director of Health Services Chad Henderson and Dave Lavallee from URI Communications and Marketing take your questions about H1N1 (swine) flu, and what you can do to help. Feel free to ask about prevention, transmission, treatment, best practices, or even more procedural questions, such as when to return to work after illness. Depending on the number of questions in the queue at any time, it may take a few moments to reply. Thanks for your patience! Your web page should automatically refresh periodically to display new questions and answers. If you are not seeing new questions and answers, you can simply reload this web page, or click on the "Show New Messages" button to show more questions and answers. |
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| Jan (Tiverton): If I already had the swine flu shot in the 1970s, am I protected? |
| Chad Henderson: I've not seen any specific data regarding that. However the H1N1 virus is considered "novel" or unique. There is an indication that those born prior to 1957-1958 may be at lower risk than people born since then. |
| Dave (Wakefield): If I get the seasonal flu am I still susceptible to H1N1? |
| Chad Henderson: I believe that it is possible, since H1N1 is a novel strain, and there will not be routine testing to know what strain of flu an individual has, potentially you could contract both. |
| Cindy (South Kingston): Once the vaccine is available on campus, is it going to be mandatory for students? I'm a little nervous about the vaccine for my child and I'd rather she not get it. |
| Chad Henderson: There are no plans to make the vaccine mandatory for anyone. Both the seasonal flu vaccine and the two-shot H1N1 vaccine will be optional, but available to all students, faculty, and staff. |
| Jennifer (Wakefield): I've heard recommendations that schools relax absenteeism rules for the swine flu. But I wonder how the professors will be able to distinguish between students who really have it and those who are just taking advantage of the situation to miss lots of classes. |
| Chad Henderson: The flu will affect both faculty and students. The provost and faculty senate have been proactive, in addition to the deans and department chairs, in working with the faculty to continue the educational process even during an outbreak of flu. Since the projections are that 30-50% of the population may contract the flu during its course, absenteeism could be significant. However, it is believed that the 30-50% will occur over time, so the flu will come in waves. The hope is that the educational process will continue, students will complete coursework, and faculty will complete instruction. We expect that everyone will act responsibly and respectfully. |
| Art Feld: Can I get a flu shot to cover me from this? Wherea/ |
| Chad Henderson: We will not know how or where the vaccine is given until it becomes available. It will then be given by priority groups. The top priority group includes pregnant women, caregivers of those under 6 months of age, all community members aged 6mo-24 years, first responders and health care providers, and those 24-60 with high risk factors or who are immune suppressed. |
| Smithfield: Is the vaccine free to students? |
| Chad Henderson: Both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines will be free when administered to students. |
| Jose (Providence): What precautions are you taking in the dining halls? It seems to me that's where there is a huge chance for spreading the flu. |
| Chad Henderson: We are encouraging hand sanitation and social distancing as well as asking those with symptoms not to use the dining halls. |
| Dee(Wakefield): How is this flu transmitted? |
| Chad Henderson: All flus are transmitted through respiratory droplets, normally transmitted through a cough or a sneeze. Cough etiquette is important, that is, covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or coughing or sneezing into your elbow. Also, if you are touching surfaces that you are concerned may have the virus -- which can live for 2-3 hours -- you should refrain from touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands. |
| Kate (Warwick): Have the flu clinics been scheduled on campus yet? |
| Chad Henderson: For the seasonal flu, faculty and staff on the Kingston campus may get vaccinated at the Memorial Union on Sept. 17. Faculty and staff at other campuses have been notified of clinics on their campuses. Students will receive their vaccinations from Health Services at a clinic, also on Sept. 17 at the Memorial Union, and at other clinics that are being scheduled. Please check the URI web for more information. |
| Art Feld: Is there any extra cleaning or sanitation response by the university, i.e. distribution of hand cleaners etc? |
| Chad Henderson: The current recommendation from the CDC is for increased frequency of routine cleaning of normally used surfaces. No special cleaning technique has been recommended. Frequent hand washing/sanitizing is a key part of reducing transmission. Washing with soap and water is preferred. The duration should be two verses of "Happy Birthday". :-) Alcohol gel or foam hand sanitizers may be used when soap and water are not readily available. Hand sanitizers are being placed at key public locations across campus. Individuals are encouraged to take personal responsibility by obtaining and using hand sanitizers routinely. |
| Warwick: At what point should one seek medical attention for symptoms associate with H1N1? |
| Chad Henderson: Current CDC guidance suggests that people with symptoms, particularly fever, cough, and/or sore throat, remain at home (or in the residence hall room) and seek medical advice only if they have an underlying health issue, such as diabetes, asthma, cardiovascular illness, or are immune suppressed, or if symptoms worsen to include accelerated heart rate, trouble breathing, or extreme difficulty swallowing. Initial contact, except in extreme circumstances, should be via telephone, rather than visiting the provider's office or clinic. |
| Betsy(Andover): In 1976, the government pulled a vaccine for h1n1 off the market because of a serious GBS (Guillain-Barre Syndrome) outbreak caused by the vaccine. The vaccine was actually being used as a precaution, there was no reported H1N1 case at the time. The recently leaked report stated that the H1N1 vaccine soon to be released to the public is 800 times more likely to result in GBS. Also, most vaccines are tested for months-years in human test subjects, this vaccine will only have had a few weeks of human testing. Do the benefits of being potentially protected against the current H1N1 strain (which may mutate into a more deadly form) outweigh the negatives of potential paralysis? |
| Chad Henderson: You should discuss your specific health situation with your provider. The vaccine that was used in the 1970s was a live virus vaccine. The current vaccine is not live, and specific risk has not been identified in the ongoing clinical trials. |
| Angela (URI): If I have small children that get the H1N1, is it okay for me to still come to work? |
| Chad Henderson: Yes, unless you exhibit symptoms of the flu, you can go to work. If you do begin to experience symptoms, you should go/stay home. |
| Susan (North Kingstown): If my son is sick and thinks he might have swine flu, should he go to the campus health clinic or should he come home to see our family doctor? |
| Chad Henderson: If you live within a reasonable commuting distance and there is no one at home who is immune suppressed, pregnant, or under the age of 6 months, we would recommend that your son go home if he can do so safely. He should remain there until his temperature returns to 100 degrees or less for 24 hours, without the use of any temperature-reducing medication. As I mentioned before, seeing a health care provider is not recommended unless you meet one of those conditions. |
| Cindy (South Kingstown): Do you thing there's a chance this could all be a bit of false hysteria perpetuated by the media? I'm inclined to downplay it, but maybe that will be unwise in the long run. |
| Chad Henderson: We know that the H1N1 virus exists, we know that thus far, the affect has been similar to a mild-to-moderate seasonal flu, and we know that with increased technology, availability of information has greatly increased. We are attempting to share appropriate information with the URI community to ensure the continuity of the educational process, and keep the community healthy. |
| Alex (Cumberland): If there is a vaccine, students won't be required to take one will they? |
| Chad Henderson: Nope. As mentioned above, no one will be required to have any vaccine. |
| C.G (URI): Are the risks, and/or symptoms of H1N1 increased if you are pregnant? |
| Chad Henderson: Yes, the data thus far seems to indicate that pregnant women may be at greater risk. I would suggest you speak with your health care provider. |
| Colleen (Providence): My daughter will be 6 months old on October 8th, will she be able to get the H1N1 vaccine after that? |
| Chad Henderson: Yes, but you should consult with your health care provider. The CDC is recommending that young people from 6 months to 24 years old be vaccinated. |
| Marie (CT): If my daughter get the H1N1 and is really sick in bed, is there a point at which I should bring her home? |
| Chad Henderson: Yes, your instincts are correct. When a student identifies with the symptoms and can safely travel home for the duration of the illness, we recommend that they do so, as long as there are no high-risk individuals at home, and they can travel safely. (If you do come to campus to pick her up, I would suggest that your daughter wear a mask within the confines of your car for the trip home, to help protect you from the flu.) |
| Marie (CT): Follow up - I know you're getting the vaccine, but will you get enough for all students? And if not, how will you choose which will get it? |
| Chad Henderson: We have been told that once the state health department receives the initial Rhode Island allotment, that distribution will be made based upon population size. So, in the first shipment, we may not receive enough for the entire student body, however, we are told that follow on shipments will come approximately one week apart, and based upon current information, we hope to have sufficient vaccine to cover the entire student population within two to three weeks of the first. This is also contingent upon having sufficient staff (without the flu) to administer it. :-) We would start with those who are at greatest risk, such as those with compromised immune systems and chronic underlying health conditions, as documented in their health histories provided to Health Services. After that, it will be first-come, first-served. |
| Dan (North Kingstown): Will kids on campus who have the swine flu be quarantined? |
| Chad Henderson: The term "quarantine" is no longer in the US health vocabulary. People will be requested to self-isolate -- remain in their home or dorm room unless they require medical intervention or have a true emergency, in which case they are asked to wear a mask when going outside. |
| Jess (EG): Do we have any concerns about a complete, widespread epidemic happening on campus? At what point would the university go into a total shut-down, quarantine mode to prevent a complete epidemic? |
| Chad Henderson: It is currently believed that the flu will occur in waves, with a total population exposure over, say, six months, of 30-50% of the population. A complete shutdown of any business or organization, including colleges and universities, is exceptionally difficult, and can have long-term negative impact on both individuals and the institution. For example, ongoing long-term research, if interrupted, could lose years of effort and whole-scale interruption of the educational process can lead to dramatic career interruptions. |
| Jess (EG): Regarding pregnancy - do you know if they've done research on the impact of the H1N1 vaccine on a fetus? |
| Chad Henderson: Good question. I am not aware of any specific research, however, I would suggest consulting the CDC web site, and/or asking your health care provider. |
| Alex South Kingstown: How will student who are self isolated in their dorm room communicate with their RAs, HDs, Health Services, or Parents while they are quarantining themselves? How will they eat/drink? |
| Chad Henderson: They can communicate via cell phone, email, Twitter, Facebook, or put on a mask and knock on their RA's door. :-) Once you have self-identified to your RA, someone from Housing and Residential Life will get in touch with you on a daily basis. Regarding food, Dining Services has developed an isopack (containing 72 hours of non-perishable food and beverages), which can be picked up at Hope Commons (with an authorization card provided by your RA). You should identify a "flu buddy" who can pick this up for you. |
| Todd (Burrillville): What if I only get one of the two swine flu vaccine shots? Will that cover me adequately? Is it harmful if I only get one? |
| Chad Henderson: Current information indicates that it will take two immunizations plus two weeks following the second immunization before immunity is achieved. So a minimum of five weeks is needed from the first shot. If you don't get the second shot, you won't have immunity. |
| Dave Lavallee: It's 1:30, and we're ready to wrap up. Thanks so much for your questions and participation. If you think of any more questions, please join us again tonight at 6. |
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