The flu (influenza) is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs that is caused by influenza virus. The flu can spread from person to person. Most people with flu are sick for about a week then feel better. However, some people (especially young children, pregnant women, older people, and those with chronic health problems) can get very sick and require hospitalization.
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Novel H1N1 flu is a new and very different influenza virus that is spreading worldwide among people and affecting young people more so than those over 65 years old.
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Symptoms of seasonal flu and novel H1N1 flu include: fever (greater than 100°F / 38°C) cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also may have vomiting and diarrhea.
If you become ill and experience flu-like symptoms first self-treat with fever-reducing meds, plenty of fluids and rest but if you have any of the following warning signs seek emergency medical care (residential students should notify their RA after hours and non-residential and employees should contact their family physician or local ER):
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Following Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines, Student Health Center does not test for H1N1 because the prevalence of H1N1 symptoms is assumed to be indicative of this disease. Testing for H1N1 is performed only at the state public health laboratory and is accepting specimens only from hospitalized patients.
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People that have the flu usually cough, sneeze and have a runny nose.
Transmission of the flu is usually from 1-5 days.
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Students/employees who are well but who have an ill person at home with flu-like symptom can go to school and work as usual. These people should monitor their health every day by checking their temperatures and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. If they become ill, they should notify their professors and/or supervisors and stay home until they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing meds. Those who have an underlying medical condition (see above) or who are pregnant should call their health care provider for advice because they might need to receive influenza antiviral drugs.
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NO IF:
Generally, healthy students with flu-like illness do not need to be seen by a medical provider. Call the hotline information number (215-991-3690) for information first. Per instructions from the CDC, please do not visit the Student Health Center as we want to decrease the spread of the disease to others so instead call us to report your illness
(215-951-1565) and then we can assist you over the phone with home care instructions, isolation or other questions.
YES IF:
Students with chronic medical problems listed below who are experiencing flu-like illness need to be seen by a medical provider. Please call Student Health Center at 215-951-1565 if you have any of the following medical problems:
If your flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough,
call Student Health Center or your medical provider immediately.
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The CDC does not recommend antiviral drugs for most healthy people but they may be recommended for those with risk factors. These drugs can make people feel better 1-2 days earlier. The medicine needs to be prescribed by a healthcare provider and it works best when started during the first 2 days of illness. The priority use for these drugs is to treat people who require hospitalization or have a medical condition that puts them at high risk of serious flu complications.
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Persons should stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone (without using any fever reducing medication). Staying at home means that you should not leave your home/dorm except to seek medical care if necessary. If you must leave your room you should wear a mask when within six feet of others. Please notify your professors or supervisor if you are not attending class/work. This also means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings. This is an extremely important public health measure that will help limit the spread of the flu virus.
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CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against seasonal flu. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the three seasonal viruses that research suggests will be most common. A seasonal vaccine will not protect you against H1N1. This will be free and available on a first come first serve basis early this fall. A vaccine against H1N1 flu is being produced and will be available in the coming months as an option for the prevention of the new H1N1 flu and this also will be free. Student Health will advertise when the vaccine is available.
The CDC recommends immunization for the regular seasonal flu for everyone plus immunization for the H1N1 virus for the following high risk groups: pregnant women, healthcare workers with direct patient care, those from 6 months to 24 years old and those from 24- 65 years old with risk factors.
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Other Useful Websites
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