Sep Frequently asked questions concerning Pandemic(Swine) Flu

Transcription

1 Frequently asked questions concerning Pandemic(Swine) Flu General Information 1. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu? 2. Where can I get more information on Swine Flu? 3. How can I help prepare in case I catch Swine Flu? 4. What else can I do to help prevent the spread of the virus? Information for Students 5. What should I do if I am feeling unwell and exhibiting flu like symptoms? 6. I haven t registered with a GP yet. How do I do so? 7. What do I tell other students sharing the communal facilities? 8. If someone in my flat or hall contracts Swine Flu, will I be issued with anti-viral drugs? 9. If a case is confirmed will Aberystwyth University be closing the hall? 10. Can I still attend studies? 11. What if I am pregnant, or suffer from a chronic medical condition? Information for Staff 12. What should I do if I start to experience flu-like symptoms whilst at work? 13. What do I do if a student informs me that they are experiencing flu-like symptoms? 14. Will Aberystwyth University be issuing face masks to staff or students in halls of residence? 15. Who should I inform if I have to take time off work because I am ill or taking care of an ill dependant? 16. What if I have to take time off work to look after a dependant who has contracted swine flu? 17. What if several people in my department are off at the same time? 18. Will I be expected to come in to work if I am still ill but there is no one available to cover my duties? 19. Should the air conditioning be shut down in university buildings to prevent the spread of the flu at the time of a pandemic? Page 1

2 General Information 1. What are the symptoms of Swine Flu? The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal flu and include fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or over), headaches, limb pain, joint pain, fatigue, lack of appetite, sneezing and sudden coughing. Some people with swine flu have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. 2. Where can I get more information on Swine Flu? For general information you can contact NHS Direct on or look on the website Please note that Wales is not currently covered by the National Flu Pandemic Service. Aberystwyth University has a Swine Flu webpage which provides additional information and updates on the situation. 3. How can I help prepare in case I catch Swine Flu? You should also prepare now by: Learning to recognise the symptoms of swine flu Establishing flu buddies - friends and relatives who can help if you fall ill Keeping paracetamol-based cold remedies in the house Having a thermometer available so you can check your temperature if needed 4. What else can I do to help prevent the spread of the virus? Follow general infection control practices and good respiratory / hand hygiene to help to reduce transmission of all viruses, including the human swine influenza. This includes:. Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue when possible. Disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully. Maintaining good basic hygiene for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people. Cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product. Making sure your children, if you have them, follow this advice. Take note of any Government produced leaflets covering pandemic infections. Information for Students 5. What should I do if I am feeling unwell and exhibiting flu like symptoms? You should isolate yourself and minimize person to person contact. You or your flu buddy should contact either your GP or NHS Direct for advice. If you are living in halls of residence you must immediately bring this to the attention of the Hall Manager or Resident Tutor who will provide reasonable assistance. Page 2

3 If you are living in private accommodation you should isolate yourself and your flu buddy should notify your tutor. 6. I haven t registered with a GP yet. How do I do so? There are three Doctor s Surgeries in Aberystwyth; Church Surgery ( ), Padarn Surgery ( ) and Ystwyth Medical Group ( ). Call one of these and make arrangements to register. You may well be asked to visit the surgery to register. 7. What do I tell other students sharing the communal facilities? You should advise them to speak to the Resident Tutor or Hall Manager for guidance. Each case will be different and the advice from NHS continues to change and evolve. Your Resident Tutor will be able to obtain the latest information and give specific guidance. Whether in Halls or private accommodation, you should take special care of hygiene in common areas, especially bathrooms and kitchens. 8. If someone in my flat or hall contracts Swine Flu, will I be issued with anti-viral drugs? At the current level of infection this is unlikely unless you and your flat mates are suffering from flu like symptoms. The decision to issue these drugs will be made by your GP. If in you live in Halls, anti-virals will be collected on your behalf and brought to your room. The Resident Tutors will prepare a rota for the collection of medications, on a Hall by Hall basis. If you are in private accommodation, and you are prescribed medication, you should advise your Flu Buddy who will collect them on your behalf. Do not go to the collection point yourself. 9. If a case is confirmed will Aberystwyth University be closing the hall? We will only do this if instructed to do so by the Health Protection Agency. In the event of a hall closure all residents will be issued with appropriate guidance. 10. Can I still attend studies? Unless you are suffering from any symptoms or have been instructed otherwise you should carry on as normal. You will be notified if for any reason lectures have been cancelled. Please check your regularly for updates. 11. What if I am pregnant, or suffer from a chronic medical condition? Seek advice from your medical practitioner. Inform your Resident Tutor, Hall Manager or Residence Reception so that this can be taken into consideration when risk assessments are undertaken Page 3

4 Information for Staff 12. What should I do if I start to experience flu-like symptoms whilst at work? Staff who have flu like symptoms should not attend work but should isolate themselves and inform their manager as soon as possible via e mail or phone. Medical advice should be sought from your GP or NHS Direct. If you start to feel unwell with flu like symptoms while you are at work you should inform your manager and go home. 13. What do I do if a student informs me that they are experiencing flu-like symptoms? You should advise them to stay in their room and contact NHS Direct or their GP for further advice. They should tell NHS Direct if they are living in a hall of residence and whether they are sharing a bathroom or kitchen. They should also inform the Resident Tutor or Hall Manager. 14. Will Aberystwyth University be issuing face masks to staff or students in halls of residence? Face masks worn by individuals who are not displaying symptoms will do little to help prevent the spread of the virus. Good hygiene e.g. hand washing is more effective. Halls management and the Health and Safety team will carry out risk assessments of any activity where staff are likely to be in close contact with infected individuals, to ensure that all reasonable precautions are taken. 15. Who should I inform if I have to take time off work because I am ill or taking care of an ill dependant? You should inform your manager if you need to take time off and endeavor to keep them informed of any changes in your situation including anticipated return to work dates. 16. What if I have to take time off work to look after a dependant who has contracted swine flu. Members of staff can apply for Special Leave on the basis of Dependant Care, details of which can be found at What if several people in my department are off at the same time? This will be dealt with on a case by case basis. You should give some consideration to how any essential activities would be covered in the event of your absence and liaise with your manager and colleagues. 18. Will I be expected to come in to work if I am still ill but there is no one available to cover my duties? No, staff should remain at home if they are ill. Page 4

5 19. Should the air conditioning be shut down in university buildings to prevent the spread of the flu at the time of a pandemic? The guidance from the authorities is that the air conditioning should not be shut down. The H1N1 virus (swine flu) is not compatible with living in the air and therefore is infectious for very brief periods (minutes not hours). It is believed that the air conditioning systems will not be the mode of infection transmission for this virus, but the coughing and sneezing in the presence of others in close proximity of approximately one metre can be. Touching a contaminated person or item and transfer via hand to the mouth, nose or eyes is thought to be the most likely route for infection. Page 5