Health Matters

Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) Resources and FAQ

Important Links for information on H1N1 symptoms, self care, and prevention:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I am out of work with flu-like symptoms, am I required to provide health care provider certification?

A: No. Health care provider certification is not required for employees reporting flu-like symptoms.
Q: If I am healthy do I have to come to work?

A: Yes. The University will be open for business, unless announced otherwise. If you would prefer to stay home with an ill family member, then check with your supervisor. If you are needed to perform vital functions that are necessary to continue normal operations of the University, you may need to find alternate care for your ill family member and report to work.
Q: What happens if I run out of sick time because of having the flu?

A: Employees in staff or technical service positions who have expended all accumulated paid-time off will be permitted to use future sick and vacation hours prior to accrual. Normally, this time would be accounted for by the end of the current fiscal year.
Q: What if I am caring for ill family members and exhaust my annual sick family hours?

A: Employees will be permitted to use as many sick family days as necessary. Sick family time is charged to an employee's sick leave accumulation. In the event sick time is expended, employees should use accumulated vacation time. In the event all paid time off is expended, please refer to the previous question and answer for a description of how future earnings may be used and are accounted for.
Q: I am showing some flu symptoms, but I feel well enough to work. Should I come to work?

A: The first step is to check with your health care provider. He or she will provide guidance on whether you should stay home.
Q: How much time should a person spend away from others if they have flu-like symptoms?

A: The CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100°F [37.8°C]), or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
Q: Can you get the swine flu more than once?

A: We cannot be sure about the extent to which H1N1 infection provides immunity. The nature of influenza viruses is that they continue to evolve and change so the virus may change a bit and individuals may be susceptible to a slightly different variant of the virus. It is also important to note that public health officials are recommending that individuals who were diagnosed with H1N1 in the spring should still be vaccinated when the vaccine is available.
Q: If I get the H1N1 vaccine, do I still need a seasonal flu vaccine?

A: Yes. It is possible to contract both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu since exposure to one does not give immunity to the other.
Q: I am planning to travel abroad this fall. Will H1N1 be a problem in the country I will be visiting?

A: University offices are tracking risk in various countries. Up-to-date information is available from the World Health Organization online.

Additional Resources

Flu Vaccines are FREE for all employees, regardless of benefit enrollment. These vaccines are also free to spouses/partners who are enrolled in the Highmark BlueShield PPOBlue health plan ($26 for spouses/partners who are not enrolled in a Penn State health plan). Registration begins August 14th. Click here to enroll.

The University's Employee Assistance Program will be available, as always, as a resource for employees seeking professional counseling. For more information, click here.

For additional information on applicable Penn State Policies and Guidelines please see:

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) Resources and FAQ

Important Links for information on H1N1 symptoms, self care, and prevention:

Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources