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Cases of H1N1 have been confirmed on campus and in Watauga County, although these case have been relatively mild. Following is some information concerning H1N1 that may be helpful to you if you or someone you know has developed influenza-like symptoms such as a fever with coughing, body aches, headache, sore throat or diarrhea.

H1N1 Vaccine Update (November 6, 2009)

Student Health Services has received a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine is being given at no charge only to Appalachian students during immunization clinic hours: weekdays from  8-11:30am and 12:30-3:30pm, except Wednesdays when Student Health Service opens at 9am. Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis.

The H1N1 live vaccine (nasal spray) will be administered to students who have no underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, HIV, or other chronic lung, heart, or kidney disease.

The killed vaccine (injection) will be given only to those who have underlying medical conditions listed above.  Those students will be given first access to the killed vaccine since they cannot take the live vaccine.

Please note that since it is funded entirely by student fees, services at Student Health Service are not available to faculty or staff. Faculty and staff should contact their regular healthcare providers about receiving the H1N1 vaccine but also be aware that supplies of the vaccine remain limited throughout the medical community at this time.

Students seeking more information about Student Health Service's immunization clinic should visit http://healthservices.appstate.edu.

Who needs to be seen?

• Individuals with high fevers or severe cough
• Individuals with a chronic health issue such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or taking certain immune system suppressing medicines
• Individuals who have frequent vomiting who may be dehydrated

Other points

• There is no recommendation for healthy people to take preventative medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza. Those medications will be used for carefully selected cases.
• Most individuals will do well being isolated at home and treating their symptoms with rest, fluids, Tylenol and cough medications.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued the following recommendations for those living or working on a college campus:

  "Students, faculty or staff who live either on or off campus and who have an [influenza-like illness] should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) in their dorm room or home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). They should keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick."

Seasonal & Novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu Prevention

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly: Viruses can live up to 2 hours on some surfaces so it is important to wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethanol or ethyl alcohol on the label. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands—with soap and warm water—that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. Always wash your hands before eating, and after using the bathroom.
• Avoid touching your face: The eyes, nose, and mouth are entry ways for viruses. Avoid touching these ports or any open wounds. This will only heighten your chances of the flu entering your body.
• Learn to sneeze the healthy way: Avoid using your hands to cover your mouth when you sneeze. The virus will get on your hands, increasing the likelihood of transmission. Use a disposable tissue to cover your mouth. If you don't have a disposable tissue, sneeze into your sleeve.
• Stay home: If you experience flu-like symptoms (headache, fatigue, fever, chills, etc.), stay home from work, school, and postpone travel plans, especially to any known parts of the world that are infected.
• Keep it clean: Frequently disinfect items that are often touched - doorknobs, desks, telephones, etc., with an EPA-registered disinfectant labeled as effective against bacteria and viruses.
• Wear protective gear: If you have symptoms, wear a surgical mask when others are around you. For more information on respirators and masks, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm.
• Drink pleny of fluids: Staying well hydrated helps your body to deliver nutrients to organs and flushes toxins from the body.
• Get moving: Regular exercise helps to strengthen the immune system and increases the body's natural virus-killing cells.
• Get plenty of sleep: A healthy sleeping pattern helps to booster the immune system. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night.
• Stay informed: This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Pass the word: Tell people about this website, or send them a copy of the Seasonal & Novel H1N1 (Swine) Flu Prevention Factsheet (PDF 457K), which outlines the points stated above.

Consult your healthcare provider to decide whether or not a seasonal flu and/or Novel H1N1 flu vaccine makes sense for you, and if you are experiencing the following symptoms: cough, fever (101-104°), sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body ache, headache, chills and fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting.

For more information on the swine flu (H1N1), view the Novel H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) information pages on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Page last updated November 6, 2009.