Eastern Connecticut State University

H1N1 Flu – Things you should know and do

• Do as much as you can to reduce your risk of getting the flu or giving it to others .
  • Get plenty of sleep, eat some healthy foods. Get a thermometer.
  • Use a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze, then wash your hands with soap and warm/hot water afterwards. You can also use alcohol based hand sanitizers like Purell.  Carry some with you and even use it after touching computer keyboards or desks.
  • Keep your distance from persons with the flu (greater than 6 ft). If you must be around a flu-infected person for any length of time consider using a surgical face mask over your nose and mouth.
• If you develop flu symptoms, do not go to classes, your jobs or participate in athletic or other activities.  (Flu symptoms include fever ~ 100^o or higher along with a bad cough, body aches and/or a sore throat.) Keep your distance from others. If you can’t avoid close contact with others, please consider using a face mask to cover your nose and mouth. DO NOT RETURN TO CLASSES OR NORMAL ACTIVITIES UNTIL YOUR FEVER HAS BEEN GONE FOR AT LEAST 24 HOURS WITHOUT THE USE OF FEVER-REDUCING MEDICATIONS.
• We strongly recommend that students living in campus housing go home to recuperate. Doing so will help reduce the spread of the flu to roommates, classmates and others.
• Whether or not you go home, if you are sick with the flu make sure to drink plenty of fluids, get a lot of rest and eat what your appetite allows. You can use fever and pain reducing medicines like Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen along with cough medicine if needed. Carefully follow dosing instructions for these medicines. DO NOT USE ASPIRIN.
• IMPORTANT: If you have flu symptoms, when should you call or go for medical help?
• If you are having problems breathing, cannot keep fluids down, are dehydrated because of vomiting or diarrhea, or have other concerns or questions, call your own health care provider if at home or, if on campus, Student Health Services (SHS) at 465-5263. If you need to be seen at SHS, please call first and let the office know you are experiencing flu symptoms. For true medical emergencies, call 911.
• If you have asthma, lung or heart disease, diabetes, heart disease, immune system problems or other chronic medical conditions or are pregnant, we recommended you see your own a health care provider as soon as possible if you are at home.  If you stay on campus, call and set up an appointment to be seen at SHS as soon as possible
• Stay informed by going to www.easternct.edu/fluwatch for any new information and updates on H1N1.