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Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Frequently Asked Questions

Posted: October 7, 2009

Faculty Questions

What if I develop flu-like symptoms or think I have been exposed to the flu?

Faculty who are experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e., fever with cough and/or sore throat) or who have been exposed to someone with such symptoms should contact their personal physicians.  If you do not have a personal physician and would like a list of physicians in the area, please contact Employee Health Services at (609) 258-5035 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  For more information and updates on H1N1 (swine) flu, please visit the University's H1N1 Web page: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/emergency/swineflu/.

Should I still report to work if I have flu-like symptoms?

Faculty experiencing flu-like symptoms should not come to work and should self-isolate in their homes until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

NOTE:  Faculty should notify their department chair or manager of their absence due to flu-like symptoms and make arrangements to have their classes covered or cancelled.

How can I prepare for my possible absence due to flu?

Faculty should develop and communicate in advance plans for covering your classes and related duties; managing your office or laboratory; communicating with students about changes in class schedules; and enabling students to make up missed assignments, examinations, classes, etc.

Do I need to provide medical documentation before returning to work?

Faculty members who miss work due to the flu do not need a doctor's note to return, unless you are on short-term disability.  If you qualify for short-term disability due to sickness, your medical provider must complete a medical certificate and Employee Health Services must approve your return to work.  To seek approval from Employee Health Services, please call (609) 258-5035 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  For more information on short-term disability, please consult Human Resources at http://www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/leaves/3.1/3.1.10/.

How should I advise students exhibiting flu-like symptoms?

Advise students exhibiting flu-like symptoms to maintain their distance from others and to contact University Health Services at (609) 258-3141. Students with flu-like symptoms should self-isolate in their dorm room or home until they are no longer contagious.  Faculty should instruct students on how to keep up with the class while in self-isolation.  Should you have additional questions regarding how to advise ill students, please contact University Health Services Executive Director John Kolligian.

Will University Health Services provide documentation that a student has flu-like illness or visited McCosh Health Center?

Consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for higher education, students will not receive medical documentation that they have contacted University Health Services due to flu-like illness. 

How can I help reduce the spread of illness, especially among students?

Faculty can help reduce the spread of illness among students by talking about influenza in your class, emphasizing  the need for self-isolation to prevent the spread of illness to the most vulnerable in our community, including the many individuals at risk for complications due to chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems.  Faculty also can remove incentives for students coming to class with influenza-like illness by advising them on how to keep up with the class while in self-isolation.  If applicable, make course materials available online.

What instructions are being given to students with flu-like illness?

Students with flu-like illness have been instructed to do the following:

  • Self-isolate. Self-isolate in their dorm room or home until they are no longer contagious. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).
  • Notify. Undergraduate students should notify the Director of Student Life (DSL) in their residential college and graduate students should notify Olivia Martel (Omartel@princeton.edu or 609-258-6686) that they are beginning self-isolation.  Students should inform close contacts of their illness, especially those at risk for complications.
  • Avoid contact.  Students should not eat in dining halls, off-campus clubs and other communal settings; not attend classes, meetings and athletic practices; discourage visitors from their rooms; and wear a surgical mask if visitors need to be present or they have to leave their room.  
  • Take care of themselves.  Students in self-isolation receive guidance from University Health Services regarding self-care to foster recuperation and prevent the spread of illness.

See Student FAQ for more information on guidelines for students.

What instructions are being given to students with pre-existing medical conditions?

Students with pre-existing medical conditions (e.g., pregnant women, students with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, or individuals with immunosuppression) have been asked to contact University Health Services immediately if they develop flu-like symptoms or were exposed to someone with such symptoms.  Students with pre-existing medical conditions living in University Housing may be temporarily relocated to another room if their roommate has flu-like symptoms.

Where can I get updates and additional information?

As this public health situation evolves, all campus community members should be aware that flu guidelines may change, depending upon the nature of the H1N1 virus and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  For more information and updates on H1N1 (swine) flu, visit the University's H1N1 Web page: http://web.princeton.edu/sites/emergency/swineflu/.

OTHER FAQs

Back to H1N1 Influenza page

 

 


Last update: 12-Oct-2009 12:17 PM
Web page comments or errors: Robin Izzo.