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Student FAQ's

December 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 :: issued by IADT Students Union and IADT Pandemic H1N1 Steering Group.

FAQ’s for Students

Useful contact / numbers to save on your mobile phone:

Please visit websites listed on this document for up to date information

What is Pandemic (H1NI) 2009?

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, commonly referred to as “swine flu” and formerly known as Influenza A(H1N1) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

How will I know if I have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

The symptoms are like those of a normal seasonal flu but they will probably be sudden, and may be severe. They may include:

• Temperature over 38ºC/100.4ºF and some of the following:
• Dry cough Sore throat
• Headache Runny nose
• Severe weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting / diarrhoea
• Aching muscles and joints
• While it is usually mild some people may develop complications such as pneumonia

What should I do if I get sick OFF CAMPUS?

If you get sick with a flu-like illness while OFF CAMPUS and have any of the above symptoms you need to telephone your GP/family doctor and or telephone the HSE 24 hr Flu Information Line Freephone  1800 94 11 00 They will decide if you need testing or treatment. Do not visit your GP’s surgery without ringing first.

If you have symptoms of flu:

• Stay at home – avoid spreading infection to other students/others
• Discourage any visitors from calling to see you
• Don’t panic, for the vast majority of people this is a mild illness.
• Call the HSE 24 hr Flu Information Line Freephone  1800 94 11 00
• Inform your School/Department Office and Campus Medical centre as soon as possible regarding your condition.
• If you are a student living away from home, arrangements should be made for you to return home.
• If this is not possible identify a group of ‘flu buddies’ for yourself and your friends.
• If one of you should fall ill these ‘flu buddies’ should be able to take care of you.
• Your “flu buddies” will need to assist in ensuring that you can get food and medicines, without it being necessary to visit you.
• Information on caring for a sick person can be obtained by calling the 24 hour HSE Flu information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00
• Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your nose
• Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste bin.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, and especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Take simple anti-fever medication such as paracetamol or aspirin under the guidance of your GP. (NB aspirin should NOT be given to children under 16 years of age) and drink plenty of fluids
• It is important to ensure that all household surfaces that are touched by hands are kept clean, especially bedside tables, surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens and childrens toys. Such surfaces should be wiped regularly with a household disinfectant according to directions on the product label.
• If you have severe symptoms and there is no improvement after 4-5 days telephone your GP as soon as possible.

What should I do if I get sick ON CAMPUS?  9-5pm

If you get sick with a flu-like illness ON CAMPUS DO NOT ENTER the Medical Centre. Please make initial contact by telephone at (01) 239 47 60. The Medical staff will provide you with information on what to do from this point. Please note that the Medical Centre is only authorized to have discussions with the patient themselves. 

Is there a vaccine against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

The HSE and Department of Health have announced details of the Swine Flu Vaccination Programme, which have commenced since 2nd November. As very few people in Ireland have any immunity to Swine Flu, over the coming months, the HSE will offer a Swine Flu vaccine to the entire population.  However, as the vaccine is being delivered in phases, the HSE will start with the people who are more at risk from Swine Flu.

To learn more about the vaccination programme visit http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/swineflu/vaccine/

Is there treatment against Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Yes. Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus is sensitive to antiviral drugs. These medicines may reduce the severity of the illness. Treatment is most effective if started within 48 hours of symptom onset, but may also be given to very sick or high risk people (like pregnant women) even after 48 hours.

What if I am a HIGH RISK GROUP?

Some people are at higher risk of complications from flu. They may require additional treatment or monitoring.

People who have:

• Chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, or neurological disease;
• People whose immune system is reduced by disease or medications;
• People with diabetes mellitus; people aged 65 years and older;
• Children under 5 (children under 2 are at particular risk of influenza);
• People on medication for asthma;
• Severely obese people (body mass index more than 40) 
• Pregnant women are all higher risk groups.

Ring your GP if you develop temperature and flu like symptoms and inform GP of your risk category.

What should a pregnant woman do if she thinks she may have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009?

Anyone who is pregnant needs to have an urgent assessment by their doctor.

• Contact your GP by phone and follow his or her instructions.
• Discourage any visitors
• Take medicines such as paracetamol to reduce the symptoms
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Most people with flu will recover within a few days.
• Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover whichever is the longer

If you need to go to a doctor’s office or to an emergency room, please telephone before you go and tell them that you think you might have Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. When you are there cover your mouth and nose with a facemask or a cloth; make yourself known to staff. Do not sit in the waiting area with other patients.

When should a pregnant woman get emergency medical care?

If you have any of these signs, contact your doctor right away:

• Shortness of breath at rest or while doing very little
• Painful or difficult breathing
• Coughing up bloody sputum
• Drowsiness, disorientation or confusion
• Sudden dizziness
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Decreased or no movement of your baby
• Fever for 4-5 days and not starting to get better (or getting worse)
• Starting to feel better then developing high fever and feeling unwell again

How else should pregnant women prepare for the possibility of spread of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus?

Certain pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu – these include women with chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, liver and kidney disease, receiving cancer treatment and whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment (immunocompromised).

If you are one of these women you should consult your doctor and make sure all your vaccinations are up-to-date. Seasonal influenza vaccine should be used as advised and when available. The seasonal influenza vaccine is considered very safe in pregnancy.

What if I get this new virus and I am pregnant?

We do know that pregnant women are more likely to get sick than others and have more serious problems with seasonal flu. These problems may include early labour or severe pneumonia. We don’t know if this virus will do the same, but it should be taken very seriously.

Can I take antivirals if I am pregnant?

Your doctor will decide if you need antiviral drugs. There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs in pregnant women or their babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. 

Is it ok to breastfeed my baby if I am sick with this virus?

A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is really important in young babies when their immune system is still growing.

• Do not stop breastfeeding if you are ill. Breastfeed early and often. This will help protect your baby from infection.
• Be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Your doctor might ask you to wear a mask to keep from spreading this new virus to your baby.
• If you are too sick to breastfeed, pump if possible and have someone give the expressed milk to your baby.

Is it OK to take antivirals while breastfeeding?

There is little information about the effect of antiviral drugs on breastfed babies, but no serious side effects have been reported. Your doctor will decide whether antivirals are right for you.

What can I do to help prevent the spread of flu?

The new flu virus appears to be highly contagious and can spread quickly from person to person through tiny drops in coughs and sneezes. If you are close to a person with flu you can breathe them in and become infected.  Droplets can also be passed from surfaces like door handles and hand rails, so if you are ill, or think you might be:

• Stay at home
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with paper tissue if possible – the virus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes
• Use a tissue only once and dispose of it quickly and carefully – bag and bin it
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Wash hard surfaces such as kitchen worktops, door handles, etc. with a normal household cleaner as the virus can live on these surfaces
• Avoid large crowds of people whenever possible
• Make sure to tell your children and others to follow this advice

Additional Information  

www.swineflu.ie

Telephone

Further Information is available from the HSE 24 hr Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00. The Flu Information Line is available 24 hours a day and is your primary source of information on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

Websites

The HSE’s Website will be kept updated every day with latest information and advice. Check it often.
Health Service Executive
http://www.hse.ie
Department of Health and Children
http://www.dohc.ie
Information for Health Professionals will be on
http://www.hpsc.ie