THE FLU AND YOU!!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stress that prevention is a vital part of any plan for dealing with the flu.

Please help us stop the spread of the flu virus.

 The following information is offered as guidance for all students, faculty and staff.

Prevention: Avoid transmission Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 15-20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand cleaners for times when water is not available. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose to reduce the spread of germs you have on your hands.

• Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live together with other students, you should frequently clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles, and bathroom areas.
  
  
• Plan to monitor your health by checking for fever and other symptoms of flu.
  
  
• Talk with your health care provider if you are at higher risk for complications from flu. 
  
  
• Try to avoid contact with sick people. If you are sick, stay home.
  
  
• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue into a closed trash bag, and wash your hands.

Symptoms of the Flu

• Fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

If you have flu like symptoms:

• Students who have severe flu symptoms should contact Student Health Services at ext. 7278 during regular operating hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For after-hours needs, please seek an appropriate acute-care facility off-campus.
  
  
• Faculty and staff members are encouraged to see their regular medical providers if flu-like symptoms develop.
  
  
• The CDC recommends that you stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. (This means that you have no fever without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.)
  
  
• Avoid leaving your home, stay in isolation and away from others as much as possible.

Treatments

• Antiviral drugs are available by prescription.
  
  
• Get plenty of rest.
  
  
• Drink clear fluids (such as water, broth, sports drinks, and electrolyte beverages for infants) to keep from being dehydrated.
  
  
• Fevers and aches can be treated with acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®) or nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).
  
  
• Over-the-counter cold and flu medications used according to the package instructions may help lessen some symptoms such as cough and congestion. Importantly, these medications will not lessen how infectious a person is. Check the ingredients on the package label to see if the medication already contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen before taking additional doses of these medications. Patients with kidney disease or stomach problems should check with the health care provider before taking any NSAIDS.
  
  
• Check with your health care provider or pharmacist if you are taking other over-the-counter or prescription medications not related to the flu.

For more information on products for treating flu symptoms, see the FDA Web site. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/default.htm

Emergency Warning Signs that Need Urgent Medical Attention

In adults:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

In children:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Acting so irritable that they do not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough.

For more information on the H1N1 virus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.