H1N1 and institutions of higher education.
OBJECTIVE
Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) have been preparing for the likely resurgence of Influenza A (H1N1) virus this Fall. Amongst the multitude of factors affecting their preparatory efforts, medical considerations and evidence serve to provide the foundation for many planning decisions.


METHODS
The authors reviewed the relevant medical literature for evidence of effective measures to mitigate the consequences of H1N1. Evidence was reviewed as it pertains to IHE. The authors opted to focus on vaccination, antiviral medications, masks, hand washing, environmental cleaning, and isolation and quarantine.


RESULTS
Despite the limited evidence found for the IHE setting, recommendations were made to encourage vaccination, deemphasize the role of antivirals in most IHE students, and provide surgical masks for ill students, as they may leave their living environment, while simultaneously stressing self isolation without quarantine. Additionally, frequent hand washing and high traffic fomite cleaning should be encouraged.


CONCLUSIONS
Preparation for pandemic influenza in the IHE context is very complex and all decisions should be based on the best evidence available.
Petinaux
Bruno
B
Department of Emergency Medicine, The George Washington University, Medical Faculty Associates, Washington, DC, USA.
May
Larissa
L
Katz
Rebecca
R
Luk
Jeffrey
J
Goldenberg
Isabel A
IA
D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013333:Student Health Services; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
D007252:Influenza Vaccines