Pandemic Plan - Durham College - Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

H1N1 flu information

Durham College is committed to providing comprehensive information, assistance and resources regarding the H1N1 influenza virus (formerly referred to as Swine flu).

As part of the Campus Health Centre's commitment to the delivery of high quality health care services, this page will provide the most current and up-to-date news and information regarding the H1N1 flu within the campus environment.

What you need to know

What is the H1N1 flu?
The H1N1 influenza virus is a variant of normal seasonal influenza that contains bits of viruses from birds, pigs and humans. This virus presents itself in humans as a respiratory illness that causes symptoms similar to those of the regular human seasonal flu.

What is the difference between ordinary seasonal flu and H1N1 flu?
The symptoms are the same, but they can be much more severe with a pandemic, which affects young, healthy people who wouldn't normally suffer as much from seasonal flu.

How is it spread?
People can become infected with the H1N1 flu by coming into contact with or being close to infected persons, but more likely from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing.

How can I protect myself from becoming infected?
There are hygienic measures that you can take to prevent and reduce the spread of influenza:

Clean your hands frequently with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you have coughed, sneezed or blown your nose;
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue, but if one is not available, cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not in your hands;
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose;
Keep frequently touched surfaces clean;
Avoid sharing personal items such as water bottles, utensils, lip products, etc.; and
If you feel sick, avoid public areas and stay home.

To view a video of proper hand-washing procedures, please click here.

Hand hygiene is the single most important measure for preventing the spread of infections. Students and staff are encouraged to use the hand sanitizer stations located throughout the campuses. Hand sanitizers with a 60 to 90 per cent alcohol base are available in areas where soap and warm running water are not readily available.

For a complete list of hand sanitizer locations across the Durham College campuses, please click here.

What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of the H1N1 flu are similar to those of someone infected with seasonal influenza. These symptoms can include a fever higher than 38 degrees Celsius and coughing, and one or more of the following symptoms:

Sore throat;
Muscle aches and joint pain or;
Weakness.

In children under five-years-old, gastrointestinal symptoms may also be present and a fever may not be as prominent.

What should I do if I think I have the H1N1 flu?
If you develop the above symptoms, you are encouraged to stay home for seven to 10 days, as this is when the virus is at its most infectious. By staying home, you will help prevent the spread of infections on-campus.

You should also call Telehealth at 1.866.797.0000 or visit your family doctor for treatment.

After seven to 10 days of self-isolation, you may still have a cough, but if you have not had a fever for 24 straight hours and are feeling well, you may return to work or school. An associated cough may stay with you up to three weeks following your illness but you are no longer considered contagious.

If you are on-campus and have any further questions, please visit the Campus Health Centre from Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional information for students living on- and off-campus

Students living on- or off-campus are encouraged to develop a plan to prepare themselves should they become ill with flu-like symptoms:

Identify who you are required to inform when you are ill. This may include faculty within your academic program, your residence advisor (RA) and family members;
If possible, you are encouraged to return to your permanent home to be cared for by family members or friends until you are well;
Designate a potential 'flu buddy' to check in with you and assist while you are ill. This may be your roommate, a friend or a family member; and
Stock up on supplies you may require when self-isolated due to illness, including tissues, fluids, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, pain reliever and cough medicine.

Additional resources
The Campus Health Centre is currently in the process of setting up an on-campus H1N1 flu hotline that will provide updated information for students, faculty and staff. Please continue to check this website for the hotline number once it has been established.

For more information regarding the H1N1 flu virus, please visit one of the websites below by clicking on their link:

Information about H1N1 is also available in multiple languages by consulting the Government of Ontario's fact sheet. In addition, the Government has also created a seasonal influenza fact sheet [PDF - 41 KB].

The Durham Region Health Department has developed the H1N1 Handbook, a web-based resource containing up-to-date information for various community partners and the public. This handbook can be found at www.durham.ca.

Durham College, in partnership with the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), has also developed a Campus Pandemic Influenza Planning Guideline, outlining additional information, processes and protocol for academic, research and administrative units. To read an updated copy of this plan, please click here.