Bates College | H1N1 Care

You have been instructed to reside in an isolation area as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control based on the possible diagnosis of H1N1. This is to prevent the possible spread of H1N1to other individuals. The Bates College Health Center wants you to be as comfortable as possible and will continue to monitor you and your medical condition regularly until your symptoms resolve and you are instructed to leave the isolation area. You can call the Health Center at 786-6199 anytime if you have questions, needs, or if you need medical attention. Below is information you will need while you are in the isolation area. Please gather enough personal belongings for 3-5 days, including clothes, toothbrush, medications, books, cell phone, and phone charger. Visitors are not permitted.

Medical Assessment

Temperature Monitoring - Your Self Care Kit includes disposable temperature dots which you should use twice daily to take and record your temperature. Please report your temperature readings on your Symptom Check List upon waking in the morning, and in the evening. If you feel you have an increased temperature at any time during the day, please take your temperature and report an elevated reading to the Health Center. You will also need to record your symptoms daily on the Symptom Check List. The Health Center will call you each day to monitor your progress.

Respiratory Symptoms - Respiratory symptoms of H1N1 also must be monitored to prevent any complications. Most healthy young adults do not have any serious medical problems and recover from H1N1 uneventfully. The need for hospitalization is rare. Cough is the most common symptom. If you become short of breath or have any trouble breathing, report this immediately to the Health Center at x6199. If your condition becomes worse or is not improving, the Health Center physician will determine if you need further testing or hospitalization.

Medical Treatment

Sleep and rest are extremely important in your recovery process from H1N1. Drinking lots of water, tea, and juice will help loosen respiratory secretions and prevent dehydration. Good nutrition, even in smaller amounts if your appetite is decreased, will help you keep your strength. For fever over 101 F and discomfort, non-aspirin over the counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are recommended as directed. Your self care kit includes all of these medications. Since H1N1 is caused by a virus, antibiotics are not helpful unless complications occur. In some cases antiviral medications may be prescribed if appropriate.

Food Delivery

Commons will deliver food to your door each day you are in isolation. It is important that you help prevent the spread of H1N1 by following the protocol outlined below.

Do not answer the door when food is delivered. Commons will ring the doorbell when food is

delivered to let you know it has arrived. Please wait until the person who delivers your food has left before opening the door.

Food will be delivered in disposable dishes. When you have finished your meal, please dispose of

food, containers, and dishes in one of the red biohazard bags provided. Leave the bag in the designated trash area for pickup.

Infection Control and Disinfection

The best way to prevent the further transmission of H1N1 within the isolation household is to use frequent handwashing. Handwashing is especially important after using the bathroom, after covering your mouth when coughing or after blowing your nose. Using the alcohol based hand rub that has been provided will also help with infection control. If you are sharing the isolation house with others, do not share towels, sheets, eating utensils or beverage containers. Masks should be worn when you have a cough and are with others in the house. Surfaces soiled by body fluids should be cleaned with the disinfectant provided using the manufacturer's instructions, and gloves should be worn.

Emergencies In an emergency, call the Health Center at 207-786-6199 or Bates EMS at 207-786-6111.