According to
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), younger people are
much more likely to get infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus than
those 65 years and older. Symptoms of the flu include fever or chills
and cough or sore throat. Symptoms can also include runny nose, body
aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
The H1N1 virus
has already sickened students and faculty at colleges across the
country. While there’s no reason to panic, there are steps students can
take to protect themselves.
The CDC
recommends four steps to flu prevention:
• 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.
• Stay home if
you are sick 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 to find out if you should be vaccinated for
seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu.
In addition to talking to their doctors, students are encouraged to
communicate with their faculty members and stay home if they are sick,
until they are free of symptoms.
According to
Diana Lejardi, a spokesman for the Connecticut Department
of Health Communications Office, “If you are still sick after seven
days, continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after your symptoms
have completely gone away.”
Students should prepare for the
possibility of suspension of classes by planning to continue their work
at home (e.g., homework packets, Web-based lessons, phone calls), and
find a place where they can stay either by going to their home, home of
a relative, or close friend of the family.
