Action Steps for Students, Faculty, and Staff to Prevent the Spread of Flu

The flu season will last through the fall and winter. More than one kind of flu virus will be spreading this season, including seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu. We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to follow these recommendations to stay healthy.

Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.

Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also if you are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you may keep from getting sick with the flu:

Practice good hand hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.

Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick
Stay home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).

Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.

Talk to your health care provider
Find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu.

Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination.

Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.

If flu conditions become more severe, students, faculty, and staff should consider the following steps:

Extend the time you stay home or at your residence
Stay home at least 7 days, even if you feel better sooner. If you are still sick after 7 days, continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after your symptoms have completely gone away. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Prepare for the possibility suspension of classes
Plan to continue your work at home (e.g., homework packets, Web-based lessons, phone calls), and find a place where you can stay either by going to your home, home of a relative, or close friend of the family.