SYMPTOMS AND DEFINITIONS
1. Question: What are the symptoms of H1N1?
2. Question: What are the initial symptoms of influenza?
3. Question: What is the definition of a fever for the purpose of identifying the flu?
4. Question: What is the incubation period?
5. Question: How long does H1N1 last?
6. Question: How is transmitted?
7. Question: How long do the germs survive?
8. Question: What is the likelihood of getting HN1?
9. Question: When should I seek medical attention?
LEAVE RELATED QUESTIONS
1. Question: If I am ill with influenza, when can I come back to work?
2. Question: If I have H1N1 symptoms, can I still come to work if I feel I am able to?
3. Question: Should I seek medical advice?
4. Question: I don’t want to use my sick leave, what are my options?
5. Question: What should I do if my kids’ school/daycare closes?
6. Question: What types of leaves are available?
WORKING ENVIRONMENT RELATED QUESTIONS
1. Question: Do I need to disinfect my desk and keyboard, or, not touch other office or school equipment?
2. Question: Is the District doing anything extra to clean each desk and countertop to protect me from the H1N1 virus?
3. Question: Will I be notified if someone in my work area is sick?
COMMUNICATIONS RELATED AND GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. Question: What is a pandemic?
2. Question: Will I receive communications about the pandemic?
3. Question: Can I work from home? What are my options?
4. Question: Where can I get more information on influenza or the H1N1 virus?
SYMPTOMS AND DEFINITIONS
1. Q: What are the symptoms of H1N1? (top)
A: The signs and symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the season flu and consist of a fever and respiratory tract illness, including cough, sore-throat, runny nose, headache, muscle aches. A significant number of people who have been infected with H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. (CDC)
2. Q: What are the initial symptoms of influenza? (top)
A: The symptoms of influenza are runny nose, sore throat, nausea, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, coughing, and lack of appetite. Like H1N1 influenza can vary from person-to-person, from mild to severe. (CDC)
3. Q: What is the definition of a fever for the purpose of identifying the flu? (top)
A: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defines fever as a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit without the use of fever-reducing medications.
4. Q: What is the incubation period? (top)
A: Probably 1 to 2 days prior to onset of symptoms.
5. Q: How long does H1N1 last? (top)
A: Depends, 3-5 days for the more acute phase (fever, severe cough, respiratory symptoms...) with a week or more to fully recover. The degree and severity of the illness depends on the individual's own personal variables, such as health status and past immunological protection.
6. Q: How is H1N1 transmitted? (top)
A: The virus is transmitted from respiratory droplets and person to person contact.
7. Q: How long do the germs survive? (top)
A: The current thinking is that the germs survive on surfaces about 7-8 hours.
8. Q: What is the likelihood of getting H1N1? (top)
A: This depends on the individual's health status, previous immunological history, personal health resiliency, etc.
9. Q: When should I seek medical attention? (top)
A: An individual should consult with their primary care provider anytime they have questions about their personal health, including the effects seasonal flu and H1N1 may have on their well being.
LEAVE RELATED QUESTIONS
1. Q: If I am ill with influenza, when can I come back to work? (top)
A: You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. The fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
2. Q: If I have H1N1 symptoms, can I still come to work if I feel I am able to? (top)
A: No. The District, acting on guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Lane County Public Health, will be requiring employees with H1N1 symptoms to stay at home. This is imperative in order to slow the spread of the virus and protect the District’s workforce, students and the community.
3. Q: Should I seek medical advice? (top)
A: You will need to use your own discretion to determine whether or not to seek professional health care. However, employees may want to check with their health care provider about any special care they might need if they are pregnant or have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or serious lung problems.
If you do seek professional health care, please call your medical provider’s office first and tell the office about your symptoms and concern about possible H1N1. Your provider or the health care facility will assure that you are evaluated in a way that limits spreading your illness to other people.
4. Q: I don’t want to use my sick leave, what are my options? (top)
A: If you do become sick, be prepared to take sick leave, leave without pay, or other leave options which may be available to you. Please contact your benefits coordinator for information on sick leave banks:
* Patrick Munyon x7679 (munyon@4j.lane.edu) – Classified employee group
* Julie Wenzl x7682 (wenzl@4j.lane.edu) – Licensed employee group
* Jackie Mchlaughlin x7675 (mclaughlin_j@4j.lane.edu) – for all other employee groups
5. Q: What should I do if my kids’ school/daycare closes? (top)
A: Plan ahead for what to do if your child’s school or daycare closes. Public Health is encouraging parents to keep their child(ren) home. Please do not bring them to work or other public gatherings. Identify your options ahead of time should your child be out of school or day care for days, weeks or longer. Also plan ahead to be able to care for your child(ren) at home if they are ill.
6. Q: What types of leaves are available? (top)
A: Licensed, Classified, 4JA, Other
WORKING ENVIRONMENT RELATED QUESTIONS
1. Q: Do I need to disinfect my desk and keyboard, or, not touch other office or school equipment? (top)
A: The CDC notes that the H1N1 virus is spread mainly from person-to-person though coughing or sneezing.
2. Q: Is the District doing anything extra to clean each desk and countertop to protect me from the H1N1 virus? (top)
A: The District's custodial staff have identified critical touching points which are receiving daily disinfecting, including all door knobs, door glass, drinking fountains, restroom areas, hand towel dispensers, office counter tops and telephone hand sets, health room beds, and light switch plates and switches. All disinfecting chemicals currently utilized by the District custodial staff, meet all standards for proper disinfection of the virus.
3. Q: Will I be notified if someone in my work area is sick? (top)
A: You will not be notified of an employee’s illness, this is why it is so important to protect your health through preventative practices and to stay home when you are sick.
COMMUNICATIONS RELATED AND GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. Q: What is a pandemic? (top)
A: A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs, for example, when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population; begins to cause serious illness; and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide (OSHA).
2. Q: Will I receive communications about the pandemic? (top)
A: Yes. Administrators/Supervisors are encouraged to communicate with employees and reassure them that the District is addressing the situation and taking the necessary steps to ensure a safe workplace. The District is actively monitoring and responding to developments as they occur.
3. Q: Can I work from home? What are my options? (top)
A: Generally speaking, you should assume that you cannot work from home unless specifically approved by your immediate supervisor. All inquiries about this work option are required to start with discussions with your immediate supervisor.
4. Q: Where can I get more information on influenza or the H1N1 virus? (top)
A: The District has installed a Widget that connects directly to the (CDC). When http://cdc.gov/ updates content, the District’s web site will be updated automatically. Through the Widget you will have up-to-date, credible health information.
Definitions
H1N1: 2009 H1N1 (sometimes called “swine flu”) is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person worldwide, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread. (top)
CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) serves as the national focus for developing and applying disease prevention and control, environmental health, and health promotion and health education activities designed to improve the health of the people of the United States. (top)
Influenza: An acute contagious viral infection characterized by inflammation of the respiratory tract and by fever, chills, muscular pain, and prostration. (top)
Widget: A widget is an application that displays real-time information on the District’s web page. When the Center for Disease Control (CDC) updates its content, the District’s web site will be updated automatically through the widget. The widget provides up-to-date, credible health information at any time. Use the widget to keep your staff and parents informed about the flu and H1N1. (top)
Touching points: The District’s custodial department has identified the critical touch points below. These areas are disinfected by custodial staff in your building/department:
*All door knobs, striker plates and crash bars, from the front door to the last classroom
*Door glass where students touch
*Wipe points where students might swing around door mullions
*Drinking fountains and handles
*Restrooms - soap dispensers, walls and stall dividers, sinks and Bradleys
*Hand towel dispensers
*Office telephone hand sets - wipe with disinfectant cloth
*Health room beds, sinks etc.
*Office counter tops
*Light switch plates and switches (top)
Sick Leave: absence from duty because of the employee’s illness or personal injury. (top)
Personal Leave: can be with or without pay depending on the employee’s collective bargaining agreement. (top)
Leave without pay: leave granted without pay. There are several types of leave without pay and is dependant on the employee’s collective bargaining agreement. (top)
OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Act was created by Congress to help protect workers by setting and enforcing workplace safety and health standards and by providing safety and health information, training and assistance to workers and employers. OSHA requires employers to provide workplaces free from serious recognized hazards and to comply with occupational safety and health standards. (top)
~ Information coming ~
Licensed
Classified
4JA
Other
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