UNC Department of Environment, Health & Safety: University Employee Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC)

Effective June 24, 2009: UEOHC Moving

Please note the new location of the UEOHC.

H1N1 Vaccine Distribution Update: November 5, 2009

The University continues to receive the H1N1 vaccine for faculty, staff and students. As expected, due to differences in the manufacturing process, the vaccine shipments received have been primarily the intranasal form of the vaccine rather than the shot. The nasal vaccine is indicated for healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.

People who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions like asthma, diabetes or an illness that causes their immune system to be suppressed should not receive the nasal form of the vaccine. When the University receives the shot form of the vaccine, it will be administered to people in these groups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Web site includes recommendations for receiving each form of the vaccine.

The University is following CDC recommendations to vaccinate pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health-care and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk of H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) is holding clinics to administer the nasal form of the vaccine to students, faculty and staff in these target groups. Most people in these groups should be able to receive the nasal vaccine. They can make an appointment to receive the nasal form of the vaccine during any of the eight clinic dates below by going to the EHS Web site registration page.

The following clinics for the nasal form of the vaccine will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Monday, Nov. 9: Hooker - Lower Level Atrium;
Tuesday, Nov. 10: MBRB - 2nd Floor Lobby;
Wednesday, Nov. 11: SASB - Upendo;
Thursday, Nov. 12: Student Union - Great Hall;
Friday, Nov. 13: Giles Horney - Magnolia Room;
Monday, Nov. 16: Student Union - Room 2518;
Tuesday, Nov. 17: Student Union - Room 2518; and
Wednesday, Nov.18: MBRB - 2nd Floor Lobby.

There will be no out-of-pocket expense for students or employees who have the following insurance coverage: the State Health Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield; Partners; Aetna; Humana Gold; SummaCare; Advantra Freedom; or Medicare Part B. However, you must bring your current insurance card and a photo ID to the clinic. If you are not insured with any of these companies, you can still be vaccinated, but you will have to pay an administrative fee of $12 (cash or check). The fee is paid to an outside health-care agency for the nurses and other staff providing the vaccination service, not to the University.

University health officials have ordered a sufficient quantity of the H1N1 vaccine for all students, faculty and staff who want to be vaccinated. As additional doses of the vaccine arrive, the University will send the campus community details about how and when people can be vaccinated. Be sure to check Alert Carolina for updates about distribution of the H1N1 vaccine and for general information about the H1N1 flu.

H1N1 Flu Alert

UNC Chapel Hill is carefully monitoring developments in the cases of the H1N1 influenza virus both in the United States and abroad. This is a constantly evolving situation with more states and nations reporting confirmed cases of the illness. We are working with state and local health departments, UNC Hospitals and other University agencies to coordinate our reponse.

Here are websites for further information. Please use these resources for more information about symptoms, swine flu activity, and what you can do to prevent contracting the virus.

United States Government Sites

UNC-Chapel Hill Sites

High Risk and Symptoms Warning Signs

When to Seek Help:

Generally, people with the flu (the new H1N1 flu, as well as seasonal flu) can manage recovery at home with little or no medical attention. However, certain people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications.

Risk groups

Individuals with certain chronic medical conditions should consult with their health care providers with the onset of flu-like symptoms, or following recent close contact with someone who has the flu. These conditions include:

asthma
diabetes and other metabolic disorders
immune-suppression from medications (cancer drugs, oral steroids), HIV, or other diseases
chronic diseases of the heart (not high blood pressure), neuromuscular, lung, liver, or kidney
pregnant women
adults 65 years and older
children younger than five years old
persons younger than 19 yrs old who are on chronic aspirin therapy
Extreme obesity (Body Mass Index of > 40)

More serious symptoms: a warning sign

People who have the flu and develop any of the following symptoms should call a health care provider without delay for medical advice or attention.

difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
sudden dizziness
confusion or change in level of consciousness
severe or persistent vomiting
severe sore throat, accompanied by swollen glands in your neck
flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
unidentified rash
fever of over 101 degrees lasting for more than three days despite drugs that lower temperature (e.g., aspirin, acetaminophen)

What to do if you are ill with a flu-like illness (fever plus cough or sore throat)

Do not go to work or attend classes (stay home or in your dorm room)
Stay home (or in dorm room) until 24 hours after your fever is gone off of drugs that lower fever (except to seek medical care)
Avoid contact with others to the extent possible
Take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) for fever
Drink plenty of fluids

For University Health-Care Employees

Health care workers who have exposures at home to known or suspected novel H1N1; should take their temperature each day and NOT come to work if they develop a fever with sore throat or cough.

Health care workers who develop a fever at work with a sore throat or cough; should immediately go home.

Health care workers with a fever and cough or sore throat; should remain home for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)) and then may return to work. If they still have respiratory symptoms they should wear a mask while providing patient care until asymptomatic.

Health care workers may work with a cough or other upper respiratory symptoms in all units except Neonatal Critical Care, Pediatric Critical Care and the Bone Marrow Transplant Units: Employees in these units who develop respiratory symptoms even if without a fever should be evaluated by Occupational Health. In other units, healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms without a fever may work provided they wear a mask at all times while proving patient care and practice appropriate hand hygiene.

In the event that a UNC Heath Care employee is exposed to a patient with novel H1N1 (i.e., with 3 feet without wearing a mask); we will offer post-exposure prophylaxis only if the employee is immunocompromised or at high risk for complications it they develop influenza, or pregnant (after consultation with the employee's obstetrician). Such employees should take their temperature before coming to work and not come to work if they develop a fever and/or respiratory symptoms.

Other University Employees

University employees who are well but have a family member at home with H1N1 flu; can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisors and stay home using available leave (sick leave, vacation, bonus leave or flexible furlough program). Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health-care providers for advice/care, including whether they should receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness, before reporting to work.

Persons who are at high risk of complications from novel influenza A (H1N1) infection (for example, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, children less than 5 years, persons 65 years or older, and pregnant women) should consider their risk of exposure if they attend public gatherings in communities where novel influenza A virus is circulating.

Employees who are experiencing an acute respiratory illness with a fever greater than 100.4 degrees along with cough, nasal congestion or sore throat; should not come to work and should stay away from others (self isolate). Those who wish to seek medical care should contact their health care provider to report illness by telephone or other remote means before seeking care. If persons with these symptoms must leave their home (for example, to seek medical care or other necessities), they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful for persons who have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well. They should stay home from work, school and any community gatherings for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)) using available leave (sick leave, vacation, bonus leave or flexible furlough program).

University Students

Students who are well but have a family member or roommate at home with H1N1 flu; can go to school as usual. They should monitor their health every day, and if they become ill they should stay home.

Students who are ill with fever and respiratory symptoms; should call the Campus Health Services main appointment number at 966-2281 for advice, instruction and to schedule an appointment.

(If students with these symptoms leave their dorm/home to seek medical care or other necessities, they should cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful for persons who have access to these, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well.

Students should use the resources posted on the Campus Health Services Web site to find information about symptoms and what to do to prevent contracting the virus. General recommendations include staying home from work, school and any community gatherings for 24 hours after their fever resolves (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (antipyretic)).

Swine Flu Q & A

What is swine flu?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people.

Is this swine flu virus contagious?
CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. It is very important to practice good hand hygiene to prevent transmission.

What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Are there medicines to treat swine flu?
Yes. CDC recommends the use of oseltamivir (brand name Tamiful) or zanamivir (brand name Relenza)�both antiviral drugs�for the treatment of suspected, probable and confirmed cases of H1N1.

Should I be wearing a face mask to keep from getting sick?
It is not necessary for the general public to use face masks. If you have flu symptoms, however, and visit a health care provider, you will be asked to wear a mask to keep from spreading any virus when you cough or sneeze.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against swine flu although scientists are working to produce a vaccine. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

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.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. Do not go to work or school if ill. Contact your medical care provider if you begin to experience flu-like symptoms associated with a fever. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cough or sneeze into your upper arm if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where H1N1 influenza cases have been identified and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you may want to contact their health care provider, particularly if you are worried about your symptoms. Your health care provider will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

If you are sick, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others.

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

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Fast breathing or trouble breathing
Bluish skin color
Not drinking enough fluids
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
Fever with a rash

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion or disorientation
Severe or persistent vomiting and unable to keep liquids down
Purple or blue discoloration of the lips