Q: If I have flu-like symptoms, how do I know if I need to seek urgent evaluation?
A: Swine flu, like other flu, is a respiratory illness. The common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Most people do not get seriously ill as a result of H1N1, but a few will. If you experience the following symptoms, immediately contact your health-care provider or a health-care facility:
If you have doubts about whether to seek help, call and ask your health care provider. MSU students can call the Olin Student Health Center at (517) 353-5557.
Q: What’s the best treatment for those who are suspected of having H1N1?
For most people, the treatment is symptomatic, as it is with most respiratory illnesses: drink fluids, rest, take Tylenol or other drugs such as ibuprofen for aches and fever, and stay home. Anti-virals such as Tamiflu are not recommended for the majority of people who have H1N1 but only for those who are at high risk of developing complications from influenza.
Q: What precautions can I take?
A: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (then throw out the tissue). If you are ill, stay home to protect others.
Q: What else should I do?
A: Stay informed of the latest developments regarding H1N1. As information about this outbreak is constantly changing, please check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/h1n1 and the World Health Organization at www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/ for the most-updated information about H1N1.
Q: What do I do if my roommate is sick?
If your roommate is sick (from any contagious disease), you should be particularly careful about sharing common utensils and glasses, practice careful hand-washing and avoid very close contact. You should clean commonly shared spaces, such as countertops and doorknobs, although generally respiratory viruses are transmitted from sneezes, coughs and more direct personal contact.
Q: What recommendations does the university have for students in class?
A: In addition to being vigilant about the health recommendations listed at http://special.news.msu.edu/h1n1, an important part of limiting the spread of infectious disease is social distancing. Ordinarily, the flu virus cannot spread beyond 3 feet. Students with a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, plus respiratory symptoms, should be directed to get medical evaluation and not attend class. Students need to be proactive in notifying their instructors if they will be absent and making alternative arrangements with their instructors.
Q: Why is the public health system not routinely testing for H1N1?
The rapid-screening flu test is no more accurate than 50 percent, which is less accurate than a careful history and clinical judgment. There is a strong recommendation not to use this test because it is expensive and may cause more problems than it solves. You can help by not requesting it. There are a few cases in which a more definitive H1N1 test can be done — when people are very ill or there is a need to sort out a diagnosis from other potential causes — but the results of this test are not available for several days.
Q: Why is MSU not isolating sick students?
Since testing is not recommended, it isn’t feasible. We don’t know who has H1N1 and who simply has a different cold, respiratory virus or even allergies. Secondly, most of the exposure to others already happens before a person realizes he or she may have influenza. Finally, this virus is widespread in the environment, and there are multiple opportunities for exposure. MSU does recommend that people who have flu-like symptoms and fever self-isolate if at all possible to protect others.
Q: What is Tamiflu, and should I be taking it?
A: Tamiflu is an anti-viral medicine available by prescription. However, at this time the public health recommendation is that Tamiflu only be used if your physician determines you are ill with H1N1 and that you are at increased risk for complications, according to MSU University Physician Beth Alexander. This strain of flu already is developing some resistance to anti-viral medications, and unnecessary use or overuse of antiviral medications may make them ineffective when they are really needed.
Q: As an instructor, how can I prepare for a pandemic?
A: Keep your grade book up to-date for all course sections. Use electronic means of communication including ANGEL sites for course content and e-mail and other electronic networking for messaging. Ask students to stay home if they have flu-like symptoms and to keep you informed of when they will return. Read the Code of Teaching Responsibility here.Instructors are encouraged at the beginning of the semester to consider alternative ways of communicating with students and providing course material, alternatives for making up assignments and taking examinations and contingencies for alternative instructors should the instructor of record become ill.
Q: What latitude do instructors have to cancel/suspend classes?
A: The decision to cancel or suspend classes is an institutional decision, not an individual instructor decision.
Q: What if more than half of my class is out ill?
A: It’s best to continue to meet. Be prepared to provide an alternative way of obtaining the course content via electronic means. This is an instructor decision based on how the course content is being delivered.
Q: Should instructors take an active role in sending students home if they appear sick?
A: Instructors may not know if a student is ill and, when they do, may not be in a position to determine whether the illness constitutes a reason to send the student home. However, it is appropriate for an instructor to remind students not to attend class if they have flu-like symptoms. Students should notify the instructor when they will be absent.
Q: What should instructors do if they are ill?
A: If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, notify your department and stay home to avoid contact with others. To allow academic units to take appropriate action, instructors should notify their units if they are to be absent and have not otherwise made suitable arrangements regarding their classes.
Q: Do students need doctor verification/test results showing they have swine flu to have absences excused?
A: No. However, students do need to inform their instructors of their absence. Instructors should rely on their best judgment if students ask for special dispensation related to missing academic work because of a flu-like illness.
Q: If a student misses an extraordinary amount of time, will they lose credit for classes?
A: The student needs to contact the instructor. Each student’s situation is different. When special or unusual circumstances occur, the instructor may postpone assignment of the student's final grade in a course by use of an incomplete grade (I), a deferred grade (DF) or an extension marker (ET) for approved courses. Instructors are encouraged to provide reasonable accommodations.
Q: Will there be refunds for classes for students who have H1N1?
A: If classes were to be canceled, a university-wide decision would be made. If a student withdraws from the university or drops a course due to illness, the university’s normal refund policy would be used. That policy can be found at http://www.reg.msu.edu/AcademicPrograms/Print.asp?Section=444
Q: Will established absentee guidelines/policies/procedures be followed?
A: Yes. Departments are expected to maintain their existing departmental absence policies during a pandemic situation. Employees will continue to be responsible for complying with the established work schedule and existing absence reporting policies. In the event that an employee wishes to stay home to avoid exposure, he/she is expected to comply with existing departmental policies. To be considered an authorized absence, the time off must be approved by the supervisor in advance.
Q: What will happen to my benefits in the event my accruals, paid leave, and/or FMLA leave run out before I am able to return to work
A: Employees who are unable to return to work due to illness and who have exhausted their accrued leave, paid leave, and FMLA leave (if applicable) may request to be placed on an unpaid leave of absence. Support staff must exhaust their accrued sick leave credits (due to illness/disability) and may choose to use their vacation credits prior to being placed on an unpaid leave of absence for up to two years. Faculty/academic staff may request a leave of absence without pay for up to two years. Employees may continue benefit coverage during an unpaid leave of absence by making full premium payments. All retirement contributions are suspended during the unpaid leave period. The university contribution toward the dental premium continues for up to 24 months for faculty/academic staff who are on an unpaid leave of absence.
Q: Can employees be sent home if they are sick?
A: Yes, employees may be sent home if they are sick. Pay for this time would be consistent with sick leave, vacation, or unpaid leave policies.
Q: If I am required to stay home, will I get paid?
A: Pay for this time would be consistent with sick leave, vacation, or unpaid leave policies.
Q: Can I be required to report to work during a pandemic?
A: Yes. While the safety of all employees is our first concern, the ability to maintain vital and critical functions may require certain employees to report to work.
Q: Can I apply for FMLA if I contract the flu or if I have a family member who is ill?
A: Ordinarily, unless complications arise, the flu does not meet the definition of a serious health condition under the FMLA.
Additional information for staff/employees can be found at http://www.hr.msu.edu/flu/FAQ_Flu.htm
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