How does a student know if they have H1N1 influenza?
H1N1 is prevalent in Rhode Island and patients with flu-like symptoms (fever of 100F/38C or fever symptoms plus cough and/or sore throat) are being presumed to have the H1N1 virus and are treated as if their influenza-illness is caused by H1N1. Many viruses cause symptoms identical to H1N1, and students with ILI symptoms are unlikely to know which influenza virus they have; testing for virus type is not part of the medical treatment protocol. Brown University Health Services (UHS) is part of the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) H1N1 surveillance network, which means UHS is asked to laboratory test three cases, and only three cases, of reported ILI each week. We have been informed by RIDOH that approximately half of tests so far this semester have been confirmed as positive cases of H1N1 influenza. It is important for all community members to know that testing is done for epidemiologic survey purposes only and is not utilized to diagnose or manage the patient’s care. Accordingl
