Last Updated: September 25, 2009.
General information for the Stanford community
Catching the flu
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Flu viruses spread in respiratory droplets caused by coughing and sneezing. They usually spread from person to person, though, sometimes, people become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one or two days before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.
The differences among colds, seasonal flu and H1N1
Flus generally come with higher temperatures than colds: 102 to 104 F as opposed to less than 101 F. The flu, which generally comes on very quickly, is characterized by severe feelings of weakness and fatigue. Flu often comes with more severe headaches than those caused by sinus congestion due to a cold. Sneezing and nasal congestion are more common with colds than with the flu. Coughs are generally more severe with the flu, as are muscle aches.
The symptoms of H1N1 are generally quite similar to those of other flus. People affected by H1N1 have experienced fever, headache, upper respiratory tract symptoms including sore throats and coughs, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. At this point, any flu is likely to be caused by H1N1. It will be very hard to tell if someone is sick with H1N1 flu or seasonal flu. Public health officials and medical authorities will not recommend laboratory tests to determine if someone has H1N1 flu.
Seasonal flu shots
While it will not prevent H1N1 strains of flu, the seasonal flu shot is nonetheless highly recommended this year. Check the main page of this website for a schedule of seasonal flu shot clinics.
Vaccination for H1N1
The federal government is overseeing the development of an H1N1 vaccine, and the public health system will be responsible for all vaccine distribution programs. Stanford is preparing to play a role in administering the vaccine, especially since people younger than 24 are identified in the first priority group. The vaccine would be administered according to government-recommended and established priorities.
Avoiding the flu
The CDC recommends four important ways to keep from getting sick with flu or spreading the flu:
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not your hand.
- Stay home or in your room if you are sick. Stay there for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever.
- Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should be vaccinated. The CDC has outlined priority groups for the vaccination.
Students, faculty and staff should take personal responsibility to help slow the spread of the flu virus. By practicing these steps, they can keep from getting sick from flu and help protect others from getting the flu.
Regular vs. antibacterial soaps
It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. While antibacterial soaps have become increasingly popular in recent years, these soaps are no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soaps may lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the products' antimicrobial agents - making it even harder to kill these germs in the future. Thus, health professionals recommend that people use regular soap.
When soap and clean water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers play an important role when it comes to reducing the spread of infections. When buying hand sanitizers, look for an alcohol-based sanitizer with an alcohol content of 60 percent or greater.
If the flu becomes more severe
Stanford officials have developed contingency plans in the event that H1N1 becomes more severe. Among the possibilities for minimizing the spreading of infectious disease is through “social distancing” of people. Such measures would be made in consultation with public health officials and could include suspending or modifying events, suspending classes and closing residences.
How we communicate
Campus officials issue regular updates through a variety of communication vehicles throughout the year. Students will receive information through their residence staff about precautions to take to minimize the chance of infection by H1N1, as well as other illnesses. Faculty and staff have already heard directly from Provost John Etchemendy in email communications.
The university also has several emergency hotlines that
can be activated if necessary:
Local: 650.725.5555
Toll Free: 800.897.4253 (800.89SHAKE)
International: 01.602.241.6769