Are there concerns that students who return from Mexico could spread H1N1 flu after they return to the United States?
H1N1 flu is poorly understood at this point. It is possible that a person who is in an infected area could be fine when returning home, because symptoms may not appear for up to seven days. It’s possible that someone returning from Mexico could be only slightly sick, yet infect someone else here, who could get more seriously sick. The guidelines we are following now would suggest that if you have returned from Mexico within seven days and have flu-like symptoms—fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, sore throat, runny nose, cough, respiratory congestion, diarrhea, or vomiting—you MAY have H1N1 flu. At this time, those who are not very sick should stay home, stay away from gatherings of people and take care of themselves. If you have those symptoms and are very sick dehydrated, experiencing shortness of breath—you should contact your health care provider, let them know you have just returned from Mexico, and you need their advice.
