Seasonal (Winter) Influenza

What are the symptoms of seasonal flu infection in people?

The symptoms are like those of regular seasonal flu and include: fever of sudden onset, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and muscle aches. Some people have vomiting and diarrhoea. In severe cases, pneumonia and respiratory failure may develop and occasionally death can occur. Most cases, however, are mild and patients recover without hospitalisation.

How do people get infected?

Flu viruses may spread when a person's hands touch respiratory droplets on another person or an object and they then touch their own mouth or nose (or someone else's mouth or nose) before washing their hands.  Many people with influenza have no symptoms, but are still infectious.

What can I do to avoid infection while in DCU?

The risk of transmission can be greatly reduced by hand washing (use soap and water), using tissues if you sneeze or cough, and disposing of these in a bin. In some areas of the university, where soap and water are not readily available (eg in undergraduate computer labs etc), alcohol hand rubs have been supplied, but hand washing is actually preferable where that is an option. You should routinely was your hands on entering buildings.

What steps should I take if I become ill with Seasonal Influenza?

• Stay at home for seven days – avoid spreading infection to others
• Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your nose
• Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste bin
• Wash your hands often
• Take simple anti-fever medication such as paracetamol or aspirin and drink plenty of fluids
• It is important to ensure that all household surfaces that are touched by hands are kept clean, especially bedside tables, surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens and childrens toys.

Should I let DCU know if I am Ill?

• Staff
• Students

I have been in contact with or have been looking after someone with  Influenza.  If I have no symptoms, is it safe for me to go to work / college?

Yes, if you have been in contact with a case of influenza the only steps you need to take care to monitor yourself for symptoms – if you develop symptoms suggestive of influenza you should contact your GP.

I am in the Influenza ‘high risk’ category. What should I do in relation to my work / studies in DCU?

It is advised that persons who are medically at higher risk for complications of influenza should receive the seasonal influenza vaccine 2010/2011. Please seek further medical advice by phoning your family doctor.

• those over 6 months of age with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease,
• people whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment,
• persons with a body mass index (BMI) over 40,
• people with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs,
• pregnant women and those 6 weeks after giving birth with long term medical conditions or whose immune system is not working,*
• pregnant women and those 6 weeks after giving birth who do not have long term medical conditions but have not previously received Swine Flu vaccine.*
  
  *can be given at any stage of pregnancy.

At this time (January 2011) there are no restrictions on the working activities of any person in high risk groups as advised by the HSE.

http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/newscentre/Campaigns/faqflu20102011.html

If you are a member of staff in one of the high risk groups and you have any concerns about your health status or your working environment then you should in the first instance contact your GP or treating physician for advice.