FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Last updated: 09:38 am, September 29, 2009
For medical information about H1N1 influenza, please see the Student Health Service website.
General Questions
How many Penn students have reported having flu-like symptoms?
What is Penn doing to promote routine cleaning as a measure to prevent the spread of influenza?
Has Penn considered moving students infected with flu to special dormitories? Why isn't Penn offering non-infected roommates of students with flu the opportunity to move to alternate housing?
Where can I find out more about the prevention and treatment of influenza?
What is Penn doing to prepare for influenza this academic year?
I am the parent of a Penn student. What should I do to prepare if my son or daughter develops influenza-like illness while at Penn?
When would Penn limit or suspend normal operations due to influenza? How would the University community be notified?
Should I cancel or postpone my travel plans, within the United States or internationally due to influenza?
How do students who are sick get meals?
I have heard there are problems with students getting the seasonal flu vaccine. What is happening with scheduling seasonal flu vaccine appointments at Student Health Service?
Academic Questions
I am a student. What should I do if I miss class due to influenza-like illness?
I am teaching a course at Penn. Where can I get information about instructional technology available to me to help prepare if my course is disrupted by flu?
Has Penn considered moving students infected with flu to special dormitories? Why isn't Penn offering non-infected roommates of students with flu the opportunity to move to alternate housing?
Workplace Questions
Should I come to work if I have influenza-like illness?
What is Penn's sick leave policy and are there special considerations due to influenza outbreaks?
I am a supervisor. What should I do if an employee at work has influenza-like illness?
I am a supervisor. Should I inform employees if I know they have been exposed to someone with influenza-like symptoms?
What should I do if I need to care for a family member who has influenza-like illness?
What should I do if I develop influenza-like illness while at work?
General Questions
How many Penn students have reported having H1N1 flu?
For the week of September 20 - 26, 89 students reported influenza-like illness to Student Health Service. For the week of September 13 - 19, the number was 63 students.
The cases of influenza-like illness at Penn have been consistent with reports nationally that the illness ranges from mild to severe, and most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment. Following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, Student Health Service tests for the H1N1 virus only in specific circumstances such as patients who are at risk for complications with flu.
What is Penn doing to promote routine cleaning as a measure to prevent the spread of influenza?
Penn employees are being encouraged to purchase flu prevention supplies such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers, tissues, and disinfectant wipes through established procedures for obtaining office supplies. For details on purchasing these items, visit http://www.purchasing.upenn.edu/buyinfo/flu.php.
Penn students are also being encouraged to purchase these flu prevention supplies for their living spaces. The entire community is asked to frequently clean high touch surfaces such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, and counters as a measure to prevent the spread of influenza.
For questions or suggestions about Penn's housekeeping and cleaning services, contact the Facilities and Real Estate Services Area Manager for your building. For list of Area Managers, visit http://www.facilities.upenn.edu/serv_repair.php. Students living on campus should contact a residential staff member with concerns or questions about housekeeping.
Has Penn considered moving students infected with flu to special dormitories? Why isn't Penn offering non-infected roommates of students with flu the opportunity to move to alternate housing?
Penn's primary concern is to prevent the spread of flu on campus. Public health officials have advised that there is no public health reason to ask infected students to move to alternate locations on campus. Those infected with flu can be contagious 24 hours before they begin to develop symptoms, meaning that healthy roommates likely will have been exposed to the virus before their roommates become visibly ill. We considered these issues carefully in deciding to allow sick students and their roommates who have been exposed to the flu to stay in their own room, rather than relocate them to another building.
Where can I find out more about the prevention and treatment of influenza?
Official US Government Information: www.flu.gov
Penn Student Health Service: www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs
What is Penn doing to prepare for influenza this academic year?
The University of Pennsylvania continues to monitor the international outbreak of novel H1N1 influenza and prepare for the possibility that this world-wide pandemic will significantly impact our campus during the academic year. We continue to work closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other health officials to help reduce the risk of infection for the Penn community and to plan for possible disruptions to our normal operations.
Guidance to help students, faculty, staff, and others prepare for influenza can be found in the report, Preparing for Influenza at Penn and ongoing updates provided at this site.
I am the parent of a Penn student. What should I do to prepare if my son or daughter develops influenza-like illness while at Penn?
You should visit the Student Health Service homepage to find out more about healthcare for students at Penn and read the report, Preparing for Influenza at Penn and check for ongoing updates provided at this site.
One important piece of advice in the report is that students should discuss with their parents what they will do if they develop influenza-like symptoms while at school. Families who live nearby may wish to drive to campus and take the student home for the duration of the illness. Families who live too far to drive may wish to set up a regular time each day to call and check on how the student is feeling and a plan if the call is not answered.
Parents and other family members who wish to receive updates about influenza developments at Penn can visit this site and subscribe to the Flu Update Service.
When would Penn limit or suspend normal operations due to influenza? How would the University community be notified?
At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health are not recommending that educational institutions suspend classes or cancel large gatherings. However, it is possible that public health officials will recommend that Penn suspend normal operations in order to limit the spread of influenza. This scenario could include suspending classes or canceling large public gatherings such as athletic events and social programs. The length of a suspension of normal operations and the impact on educational and research programs would depend upon the severity of the pandemic and public health officials’ ongoing evaluation of the health risks.
If normal operations are suspended, the Penn community will be notified by email, a notice on the Penn homepage, and the emergency information telephone number, 215-898- MELT (6358).
Should I cancel or postpone my travel plans, within the United States or internationally due to influenza?
Travelers should follow guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US State Department and take appropriate precautions prior to traveling. Contact Office of International Programs with questions or concerns regarding Penn-sponsored international programs.
How do students who are sick get meals?
Students who have influenza-like illness and have contacted student health to report their illness may have a friend pick up meals for them. The person picking up your meal(s) will be asked to provide the sick student’s name and residence and the meal(s) will be debited to the sick student’s meal plan account. For those who do not have a meal plan, a charge of $21 per daily 3-meal packaged program will be added to the sick student’s account.
If you have the flu with GI symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach etc), adequate hydration is the main objective during your illness. Bon Appétit at Penn Dining has put together a meal for these symptoms that can be picked up at 1920 Commons, Hill House, Kings Court- English House and McClelland. All inquiries/pick-ups can be facilitated at the cashier stand.
If you do not have GI-like flu symptoms Bon Appétit at Penn Dining has put together a Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner package that can be picked up at 1920 Commons, Hill House, Kings Court- English House and McClelland. Kosher meals may be picked up at Falk Dining at Steinhardt Hall.
For more information, visit www.upenn.edu/dining.
I have heard there are problems with students getting the seasonal flu vaccine. What is happening with scheduling seasonal flu vaccine appointments at Student Health Service?
At present, there are nationwide reports of delays in shipping of seasonal flu vaccine. Student Health does expect to receive additional vaccine, but immediate priority for vaccinations will be given to students at risk of complications for flu. Please see the SHS website for ongoing flu immunization updates for students.
For information and updates on the seasonal vaccine program for faculty and staff, visit: http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Quality/Wellness/FluShots.aspx
Academic Questions
I am a student. What should I do if I miss class due to influenza-like illness?
You make contact your instructors and let them know that you have influenza-like illness and will be missing class. You are responsible for making up any work that you miss and for working with your instructors to minimize the disruption caused by your absence. If your illness causes you to miss more than a week of class, you should contact the advising office of your program or school.
I am teaching a course at Penn. Where can I get information about instructional technology available to me to help prepare if my course is disrupted by flu?
There are a number of instructional technologies that may be useful to manage disruptions to a course, two of which are available to all Penn instructors:
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Courses In Touch-Class List allows instructors to generate email notices to all students enrolled in a class.
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Blackboard and Wharton’s WebCafé provide online tools for conducting class discussions, posting lecture or discussion notes, submitting student assignments, and other tasks.
There may be additional technologies and support available through your school. Here is a list of school-specific pages to support instructors:
Has Penn considered moving students infected with flu to special dormitories? Why isn't Penn offering non-infected roommates of students with flu the opportunity to move to alternate housing?
Penn's primary concern is to prevent the spread of flu on campus. Public health officials have advised that there is no public health reason to ask students to move to alternate locations on campus. Those infected with flu can be contagious 24 hours before they begin to develop symptoms, meaning that healthy roommates likely will have been exposed to the virus before their roommates become visibly ill.
Sick students who are able to travel home are encouraged to do so. If a student does leave campus, he or she should inform Student Health Service and travel in a way that limits contact with others (for example, avoid public transportation).
Workplace Questions
Should I come to work if I have influenza-like illness?
If you have flu symptoms you should stay home from work for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. If you wish to seek medical treatment or have medical questions, you should contact your healthcare provider by telephone. You should contact your supervisor to inform him or her that you will not be coming to work.
What is Penn's sick leave policy and are there special considerations due to influenza outbreaks?
Penn’s sick leave policy is designed to provide position and salary continuation in the event of illness or injury. Employees are advised to refer to the full policy at: http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Policy/Sickleave.aspx.
At this time, there are no additional allowances to the sick leave policy related to influenza.
I am a supervisor. What should I do if an employee at work has influenza-like illness?
If a staff member at work has influenza-life symptoms, you should send the staff member home. Penn employees who become ill should contact their health care provider by telephone about medical concerns or questions.
I am a supervisor. Should I inform employees if I know they have been exposed to someone with influenza-like symptoms?
You should inform employees of their exposure if you know they have come in contact with someone who has influenza-like illness in the workplace, but you must respect the privacy of the sick individual and not share confidential information about any employee’s medical condition. Encourage your staff who have been exposed to monitor themselves for influenza-like symptoms and to speak with their health care provider about any medical concerns.
Inquiries about these questions should be directed to
fluplan@pobox.upenn.edu
What should I do if I need to care for a family member who has influenza-like illness?
Penn’s Sick Leave Policies allow employees to use up to three (3) days of sick leave per fiscal year for illness of a member of your household. If you need to take additional time off from work to care for sick family members, you can request to use Paid Time Off. For details on Penn’s time off policies, visit the Human Resources website at: http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Policy/Timeoff.aspx.
You may also want to consider a temporary flexible work arrangement so that you can work from home while caring for your family member. You can find guidance on setting up a successful flexible work arrangement at: http://www.hr.upenn.edu/Quality/Worklife/FlexOptions/Default.aspx.
What should I do if I develop influenza-like illness while at work?
If you have influenza-life symptoms while at work, you should go home. If you wish to seek medical treatment or have medical questions, you should contact your own healthcare provider. Students should contact Student Health Service at 215-746-3535. Penn employees should contact their personal health care provider.