1. L OYOLA B LAKEFIELD ’ S N OVEL H1N1 V IRUS R EADINESS P ROGRAM Presentation for Students 2009-2010

2. I NTRODUCTION Novel H 1 N 1 flu, commonly referred to as “swine flu,” is a new influenza virus affecting Americans since April 2009. Most people who have contracted the novel H 1 N 1 virus have recovered without requiring medical treatment. Certain groups of people are particularly vulnerable to the disease. This presentation will teach you what novel H 1 N 1 virus is how to recognize its signs and symptoms in people the importance of preventing the spread of this disease what you can do at home and at school to prevent the spread of this disease.

3. N OVEL H 1 N 1 FLU Originally thought to be very similar to influenza viruses that infect pigs. Further analysis of the H 1 N 1 virus has revealed that this virus also contains genes from avian (bird) influenza viruses and human influenza viruses. Scientists call this a “quadruple reassortant” virus. A Word About Viruses Viruses are not alive. They lack all of the characteristics that most scientists use to classify something as a living thing, namely they do not have the ability to reproduce by themselves. Instead, viruses must infect a host organism. When a person is infected with the virus, the viruses manage to penetrate the immune system and enter a person’s cells. There the viruses are able to use the cell’s own biological machinery to produce more viruses.

4. N OVEL H 1 N 1 FLU Most people are able to recover from influenza infection. bodies retain a “memory” of the infectious viruses – called “immunity”. Unfortunately, novel H 1 N 1 flu is a very new virus for which most people do not have immunity. A vaccine for novel H 1 N 1 flu is being developed. It is uncertain if it will be available to immunize the general public by the fall and winter influenza season.

5. S PREADING THE F LU Novel H 1 N 1 flu is contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something –such as a surface or object – with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.” all respiratory secretions and bodily fluids be regarded as potentially infectious. influenza viruses can survive and thus potentially infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being left on a surface.

6. G ETTING S ICK WITH THE F LU The symptoms of novel H 1 N 1 flu virus in people are similar to seasonal flu symptoms fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue. Some people have also reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with this flu virus. Severe illness and death have occurred as a result of infection with novel H 1 N 1 flu virus.

7. G ETTING S ICK WITH THE F LU So far, novel H 1 N 1 flu virus has been more severe than seasonal influenza in persons younger than 25 years of age. According to the CDC, “people infected with seasonal and H 1 N 1 flu shed virus [and are therefore considered contagious]” …from the day before they get sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in children and in people with weakened immune systems.

8. W HO IS AT R ISK FOR G ETTING N OVEL H 1 N 1 F LU The following groups of people may experience complications from seasonal influenza and may be similarly affected by H 1 N 1 flu. Children less than 5 years old Persons aged 65 years or older Children and adolescents under the age of 18 who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection Pregnant women Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, kidney, blood, neurological, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorder. Adults and children who have immunosuppression Residents of nursing homes and similar long-term care facilities.

9. P REVENTION - V ACCINATION Get vaccinated against seasonal influenza. If a vaccine against novel H 1 N 1 flu virus becomes available consider being vaccinated for this virus as well.

10. P REVENTION – G OOD H EALTH P RACTICES Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash immediately after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm (elbow). Avoid touching this area of your clothing. Change and launder the garment as soon as possible. There are some important everyday steps to prevent the transmission of diseases including novel H 1 N 1 flu virus. These include the following: Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze and before you eat. If there is visible soil on your hands always use soap and water instead of alcohol based hand cleaners. When washing your hands, you should scrub them for 15-20 seconds (long enough to hum the “Happy Birthday” song 2 times) before rinsing. If soap and water are not available, alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective if used properly. Rub a nickel-sized amount of alcohol based hand cleaner on all surfaces of the hands. Rub until the cleaner is dry before touching anything with your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Try to avoid contact with sick people. Follow public health advice about social distancing measures such as avoiding crowds or close contact with others.

11. S WINE F LU P ARTIES The CDC does not recommend “swine flu parties” as a way of protecting yourself against novel H 1 N 1 flu virus. No way to predict whether someone will gain immunity or severe illness from being infected with H 1 N 1 flu virus, these types of events are discouraged.

12. W HAT S HOULD I D O I F I B ECOME S ICK W ITH T HE F LU ? If you are sick with a flu-like illness, you should: stay home avoid contact with other people Inform a teacher or the school nurse if you are at school and experience flu-like symptoms. Remain at home for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone except to obtain medical attention. Your fever should be gone without the use of fever- reducing medicine.

13. W HAT S HOULD I D O I F I B ECOME S ICK W ITH T HE F LU ? If you experience any of the following warning signs, you should seek emergency medical care: In children: fast breathing or trouble breathing bluish or gray skin color not drinking enough fluids severe or persistent vomiting not waking up or 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 In 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 Because you are adolescents it is possible that if you get very sick you might experience symptoms from the children’s list, the adult list, or both depending upon your age, health, and other factors.

14. W HAT IS L OYOLA B LAKEFIELD D OING TO P REVENT THE S PREAD OF H 1 N 1 FLU Loyola Blakefield is taking a proactive approach 1. Education via this presentation. 2. Alcohol-based hand cleaner stations have been installed throughout the campus. 3. Tissues will be provided in many classrooms for student use. 4. Loyola has increased its sanitization of desks, bathrooms and other surfaces to kill any germs that may remain on these surfaces after the school day. 5. Loyola Blakefield may implement other social distancing measures if public health authorities recommend that this step be taken to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza viruses. School’s Out! Sort of… If the severity of the current H1N1 outbreak increases, then Loyola Blakefield or local and state public health authorities may decide to dismiss students for a period of time to reduce the spread of the disease. If an extended school dismissal occurs, Loyola students should be prepared to work from home through the Online Campus Community. Therefore it is important that you maintain connectivity to the OCC throughout the fall and winter influenza season.

15. C ONCLUSION On June 11, 2009 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that a pandemic of novel H 1 N 1 flu was occurring. A ‘pandemic’ is a widespread outbreak of a disease. This declaration was not made to instill fear in people, but rather to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with the transmission of a new disease to the human population.

16. R EFERENCES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu). 8 September 2009. 9 September 2009.