The H1N1 Influenza Virus

A message from the MIT Division of Student Life for students and parents

August 31, 2009

At MIT, the safety, health, and well-being of our students are paramount.

The Institute, therefore, has been working for more than a year to prepare for the arrival of this year's flu season and the potential reemergence of the H1N1 novel influenza virus in New England. MIT has developed a comprehensive response plan based on guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and advice from experts in our own MIT Medical Department. Components of our plan include community health education and policies to help with flu prevention, a campus-based vaccination program, availability of comprehensive medical care 24/7, academic policies to support care and healthy recovery, and training about influenza for housemasters, resident assistants, dining service employees, and other residential life staff.

The MIT Medical Department is well equipped to help manage an influenza outbreak. MIT Medical provides full-service, on-campus medical care to our community of 25,000 students, faculty and employees. It has a staff of more than 250 and is open for urgent care with nurses and doctors on duty around the clock during the academic year. MIT Medical includes radiology, diagnostic testing, and laboratory facilities; a pharmacy; and an 18-bed hospital. In addition, the Institute has strong affiliations with the Boston area's renowned teaching hospitals so students at MIT have access to world-class medical services at all times.

This handout summarizes some of the steps MIT is taking to ensure that students receive the care and information they will need in the event of illness as well as advice on how to reduce the chances of contracting or spreading the seasonal flu or H1N1 virus.

MIT will offer free vaccinations

MIT Medical will offer free vaccination to all students as soon as vaccines become available. This fall there will be two different vaccinations (seasonal and H1N1) requiring a total of three shots:

Seasonal flu: MIT Medical is planning to begin vaccinating people against seasonal flu in late September, depending on vaccine availability. This vaccination is one dose in a single shot.

H1N1: The Institute expects to receive its first shipment of H1N1 vaccine in November and will begin administering immediately. People under the age of 25 are one of the current prioritized groups recommended by the CDC for vaccination, so we will be having flu shot clinics to facilitate inoculations for all students. H1N1 vaccination will require two separate shots, administered four weeks apart.

Everyone can minimize the risk

MIT is committed to caring for each member of the community, but all share in the responsibility to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the flu.

We advise students to follow the same strategies you would ordinarily use to protect yourself and others during cold and flu season:

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers such as Purell
Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Frequently clean surfaces that are commonly touched by many persons

Stay put if you get the flu

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to the seasonal flu, including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some patients have also reported diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. As with seasonal flu, symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe, but most people experience a moderate respiratory illness and recover completely without medical intervention.

Students sick with the flu will be advised not go to class or work, nor to participate in sports or attend group activities. To avoid spreading the illness to others, we will follow the current CDC recommendation that people who become sick with the flu avoid close contact with other people until 24 hours after a fever has resolved and body temperature has remained normal without the use of fever-reducing drugs such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Facemasks and disposable thermometers will be available in student residences to help reduce infectivity and monitor symptoms.

MIT will address academic concerns

The important message for students is not to go to class if you are ill. The Institute understands, however, that students and parents may be concerned about the effect of extended absence on coursework and academic standing.

Therefore, MIT is currently finalizing plans to accommodate any academic issues in the event of widespread outbreak or for individual students as needed. We will communicate any new guidelines and policies as soon as possible.

The residential community will provide support

MIT has a well-defined and extensive residential support system for our residence hall and Fraternity, Sorority and Independent Living Group (FSILG) communities. This system, along with our campus dining program, will work to support those who are ill and reside in these residences. Information regarding these services will be forthcoming as the academic year gets underway.

Stay informed

For more complete and regularly updated information about the flu, H1N1, and MIT preparedness to assist students and concerned parents, please visit the websites shown in the column at right.

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