Latest Update
Flu cases
November 19, 2009
Three new cases were identified today. The total number of cases identified is now 426. Nineteen students are confined to their rooms at present. The University recorded its first case of influenza-like illness among students this semester on September 8.
University Health Service is handling all new cases with its current staff and during regular day and evening hours.
There are no changes to University of Rochester operations or activities because of public concern about novel H1N1 influenza. University officials and emergency operations committees have plans and procedures in place to respond to changing situations and needs.
When can I get a flu shot?
November 13, 2009
The University Health Service has received a very limited supply of H1N1 vaccine. This vaccine will be offered to students and UHS patients who meet specific criteria. UHS no longer has seasonal flu vaccine. For up-to-date information about H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine availability, check the UHS website.
University faculty and staff should check the Well-U website for information about flu vaccine availability.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Use alcohol-based hand cleaners if soap isn’t available.
Cover coughs and sneezes in your arm or sleeve, or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it and wash your hands.
Keep hands away from your face; avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Avoid people who are ill.
Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
Clean shared space more often, such as telephone receivers, keyboards, door knobs, light switches, and office equipment.
Refrain from sharing such items as forks, spoons, toothbrushes, and towels.
Visit this self-assessment tool if you think you have the flu.
For more information, visit University Health Service.
Dr. John Treanor: Seven Questions About the Flu
Rochester Review November/December
Swine Flu's Ebbs and Flows
Inside Higher Ed 10/15/2009
They are similar to the symptoms of regular flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting. If you have acute respiratory disease and have a fever of more than 101 degrees F, please seek medical attention through University Health Service at 585-275-2662 or your own physician.
H1N1 (first referred to as “swine flu” in April 2009) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. Experts believe that the virus spreads from person-to-person in much the same way as regular seasonal influenza. Like seasonal flu, H1N1 flu in humans can vary in severity from mild to severe.
Should I get a flu shot this fall?
Will flu shots be available at the University?
What groups will be recommended for the new vaccine?
When can I return to class or work after getting H1N1?
If I’m a resident student who is sick with flu symptoms, how can I get my meals?
If I have a family member at home who is sick with the flu, should I go to work?
Will the University keep track of flu cases affecting students, faculty, and staff?
Are travel advisories in effect?
Why is 2009 H1N1 virus sometimes called "swine flu"?
Where can I get more information?
Yes. The seasonal flu vaccine is now available, though there have been shortages reported in Monroe County. Health officials say that the H1N1 vaccine may be available in mid-to-late November at the earliest. When it is ready, the number of doses may not meet the demand because of an expected national shortage. Keep in mind that the H1N1 vaccine will be offered first to CDC-recommended H1N1 priority groups.
Undergraduate and graduate students had access to seasonal flu shots at clinics during September and October. Those have ended, except for students with chronic medical illnesses. The H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to be available in mid-to-late November at the earliest. Once it becomes available, keep in mind that it will be offered first to CDC-recommended H1N1 priority groups.
Seasonal flu vaccine clinics for faculty and staff through the University's Well-U have been postponed and will be rescheduled once more vaccine becomes available.
Health care workers at the University of Rochester Medical Center are no longer mandated by New York state to receive annual influenza vaccine(s) (due to short supply of vaccine nationally, that New York State mandate was rescinded). Seasonal vaccine is still currently available to health care staff, and while vaccination is not mandated, it is encouraged. H1N1 vaccine similarly will be made available to clinical staff, pending adequate supplies are received.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people between the ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
When your temperature has been less than 100 degrees F for 24 hours, you may return to class or to work.
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with an influenza-like illness can go to work as usual, according to the recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control. Most people with the flu won’t know if they have H1N1 or another flu virus. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take precautions, including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant, should call their health care provider for advice because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to minimize illness.
While you are isolated in your room or apartment, you have several options for receiving meals:
There is not the time or the access to testing equipment to verify if everyone with a fever and other flu symptoms actually has novel H1N1. Medical experts say they will assume that people with those symptoms now and in the coming months do have H1N1 and should be treated in the prescribed manner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue to report the total number of novel H1N1 flu hospitalizations and deaths each week.
The World Health Organization is not recommending travel restrictions related to the spread of H1N1 flu. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community. Any changes to this recommendation would be posted at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/.
This virus was originally referred to as “swine flu” because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs (swine) in North America. But further study has shown that this new virus is very different from what normally circulates in North American pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses that normally circulate in pigs in Europe and Asia and bird (avian) genes and human genes. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus.
The CDC has an excellent Web site with additional information at: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm. The New York State Department of Health has a General Public Hotline at 1-800-808-1987.
The University Health Service has more medical information about protecting yourself against the flu. Check out its self-assessment tool as a guide and you won’t have to go to UHS. You also can call UHS at 585-275-2662.