H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)

H1N1 Vaccine

It is recommended that everyone get the vaccine, although certain groups should get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available. Those groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, medical and healthcare personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people 25 - 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders.

GGC school officials will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

Tips for Staying Healthy

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Swine influenza viruses are not spread by food. You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products. Eating properly handled and cooked pork products is safe.

Here are some recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control to reduce the risk of getting sick:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.

What GGC is Doing

In anticipation of the continuing spread of the H1N1 virus, Georgia Gwinnett College has launched an H1N1 awareness campaign to help promote a healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors.

In addition to encouraging the campus community to get the seasonal flu vaccine, GGC is following the Centers for Disease Control recommendations for preventative planning, including:

• Hands-free paper towel dispensers in restrooms
• Installing hand-sanitizer dispensers across campus
• Expanded cleaning efforts in campus facilities
• Supplying wipes at computer stations in labs
• Supporting individuals staying at home when contagious

Warning Signs

If you become ill and experience any of the following emergency warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Adults

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Other Resources

• Centers for Disease Control


• Flu.gov


• Georgia Department of Education


• Georgia Division of Public Health


• World Health Organization