On 11 June 2009 the World Health Organization declared Phase 6 of its pandemic alert system, which means that swine flu is now spreading in communities in several countries.
The following information is a brief summary of advice for students; full details regarding swine flu are available from the links opposite.
Watch this short film that explains what swine flu is, how the disease is spread and some of the steps you can take to minimise the risk of infection on campus. Please note that, although the film suggests otherwise, you should always call your GP or the University Health Service before contacting the University.
I think I may have been exposed to the swine flu virus – what should I do?
If you have swine flu symptoms, stay at home and contact your GP or the University Health Service on 0114 222 2100.
If you are told that you have or are likely to have Swine Flu, please email support@sheffield.ac.uk to inform us.
It is vital that you make contact via telephone or email rather than visiting your GP or the University Health Service. For general information, you can also call the Swine Flu Information Line – 0800 1513 513. If you are not showing symptoms, but are worried by the swine flu situation, you can contact Student Services Information Desk on 0114 222 1299 (http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/).
I have been diagnosed with swine flu. I need a note for my department so that they know why I have missed classes/need an extension.
In these exceptional circumstances, you should self-certify your absence even if it is more than seven days. Heads of Department have been asked to accept these. However, most patients are well again within a week. http://www.shef.ac.uk/ssid/forms/medical.html “In general, short-term absences due to illness of up to 7 days do not require a doctor's note/certificate.”
Who will look after me if I am ill – especially if I am very new to the University and haven’t yet made friends?
When someone is diagnosed with Swine Flu they need to isolate themselves, staying in their room. You can ask flat-mates/neighbours to collect your prescribed medication for you, as well as food and drink.
If there is no-one you can ask and you are in University allocated accommodation, call the number you have been given for residential support. Our accommodation service has a plan in place for support staff to act as flu “buddies” in such cases.
Brief contact a t the door of your room to pass things to you is not considered a high risk
I think I might be especially vulnerable/at risk. Can’t I go to the doctor?
Those who are more at risk from becoming seriously ill with swine flu are:
people with chronic lung disease, including people who have had drug treatment for their asthma within the past three years,
people with chronic heart disease,
people with chronic kidney disease,
people with chronic liver disease,
people with chronic neurological disease (neurological disorders include motor neurone disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis),
people with suppressed immune systems (whether caused by disease or treatment - http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#Immunosuppressants),
people with diabetes,
pregnant women http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx#Specialrisks,
If someone in shared accommodation and has been told they have swine flu, a) what help do they need and/or b)how can they reduce risk of housemates catching it?
If you are diagnosed with or suspect you have swine flu, you must:
Do not go into common/shared areas (such as kitchen or bathroom) when others are there if you can avoid it.
When you use common or shared area you must clean surfaces (kitchen counter, unit in bathroom etc), taps, door handles, kettle handle etc with a domestic anti-bacterial cleaner. Wipes are better than a cloth and spray. Ask your flu buddy to buy some anti-bacterial wipes for you from the supermarket.
If you have financial concerns around swine flu (e.g. your funding hasn't come through yet) please contact financialhelp@sheffield.ac.uk or telephone 0114 222 4321
It is important to keep away from others for their sake. This may mean you missing Intro Week activities or classes but if you are being treated for swine flu, you are likely to be advised to stay in your room for up to a week. Please be responsible and follow this advice.
Remember to keep in touch with your family! They will worry about you if you are not well and need to hear how you are getting on.
I am going on a placement - what if this is affected by swine flu?
As a student you may be affected by swine flu on a placement either because you are ill yourself, or because your workplace is affected by the absence of other staff. If you suspect you have swine flu, you will need to follow your placement employer's health and safety policy and report sickness in the normal way. You should also follow the advice given on this page to all students. Do not travel to or from a placement if you are diagnosed with swine flu. If your placement is affected by swine flu, and particularly if it impacts on your assessment, please contact your tutor in your department.
I've heard that some students are getting vaccinated. Why?
National guidance is to provide the vaccine initially for priority groups. This includes medical-related personnel (which includes students in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health) who are patient-facing or might be required to work with patients with swine flu.
