The firm continues to monitor information that is being provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) regarding the H1N1 (swine) flu. The CDC expects that potentially 30% of the U.S. population will contract the virus and that the next wave of the flu will occur between November and March. Below you will find information and resources to help you stay informed and, hopefully, stay healthy.
Let's begin with the obvious -- if you are ill, please stay at home. This will not only speed your recovery, but your co-workers will appreciate the fact that you are not spreading your illness in the workplace. If you are diagnosed with H1N1, we will request a release from your physician indicating that you are allowed to return to work.
Orrick will continue to provide seasonal flu shots in our offices in October. A vaccine for the H1N1 is not yet available; it is our understanding that the initial release of the vaccine will be made available to those in high-risk categories.
For your convenience, we have added a link to the Emergency Preparedness page on our portal which has links to the CDC and WHO. As appropriate, we will continue to provide you with updates. http://portal.orrick.com/FirmResources/EmergencyPreparedness
The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
How does the virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with the H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone even without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
* General H1N1 Information provided is from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.
Let's begin with the obvious -- if you are ill, please stay at home. This will not only speed your recovery, but your co-workers will appreciate the fact that you are not spreading your illness in the workplace. If you are diagnosed with H1N1, we will request a release from your physician indicating that you are allowed to return to work.
Orrick will continue to provide seasonal flu shots in our offices in October. A vaccine for the H1N1 is not yet available; it is our understanding that the initial release of the vaccine will be made available to those in high-risk categories.
For your convenience, we have added a link to the Emergency Preparedness page on our portal which has links to the CDC and WHO. As appropriate, we will continue to provide you with updates. http://portal.orrick.com/FirmResources/EmergencyPreparedness
General H1N1 Information*
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people? The symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
How does the virus spread?
Spread of this H1N1 virus is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their eyes, mouth or nose.
How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to 5 to 7 days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems and in people infected with the new H1N1 virus.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone even without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Employees who are well but who have an ill family member at home with H1N1 flu can go to work as usual. These employees should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees who have an underlying medical condition or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice, because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs to prevent illness.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with the H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone even without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
* General H1N1 Information provided is from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.
