- UHS Director Dr. Ralph Manchester and SA Projects & Services Committee Co-Chair Bradley Halpern talk with News 8 about the first H1N1 Influenza outbreaks on campus.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that while H1N1 has reached record breaking and continually growing highs, most people have recovered without any medical treatment. A Pandemic Working Group made up of key emergency, safety, and health officers continues to meet regularly, and the Projects & Services co-chairs sit on that committee to voice student concerns and inform the student body of important information. This page contains information as recommended by field and university professionals and has been reviewed by the University Health Service (UHS).
If you have any further questions or concerns about UHS and SA involvement, please do not hesitate to contact SA P&S co-chairs Bradley Halpern and Alissa Brill. For medical questions, always contact UHS by email or phone.
What can I do to stay healthy?
1) Get immunized!
2) Avoid contact with infectious bacterial and viral diseases.
- Stay 6+ feet away from anybody who is experiencing flu-like symptoms.
- Wipe commonly used objects and surfaces such as keyboards and doorknobs with an alcohol based cleaning wipe (Lysol®). Do not use sponges or other reusable cleaners without disinfecting.
- Wearing a mask will not prevent healthy people from catching an influenza-like illness.
3) Maintain a strong immune system to protect you from illness.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often, and maintain good general hygiene.
- Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (Purell®) often, especially before eating.
- Get adequate sleep each night.
- Eat nutritious meals.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue, not your hand.
- Avoid sharing towels, utensils, drinks, and other personal items.
See the UHS Pandemic Page for further tips on staying healthy.
What is the difference between Seasonal and H1N1 Flu?
Influenza is a viral infection of the respiratory system, often presented by a cough, runny nose, body or head aches, chills, fatigue, fever and occasionally diarrhea or vomiting. While the most common form of influenza is seasonal flu (often refered to as just "the flu"), this year brings a set of new complications. H1N1 Flu (previously refered to as "swine flu") has become more prevalent in the past few months. In addition, a new strain known as "novel A" (often refered to as "2009 H1N1") has now developed, and is more resistant to treatment than previous types. Although any type of infleunza can present severely, many people experience symptoms for as little as 3-7 days and return to full health.
Take the Flu IQ Quiz to test your knowledge and clear up common misconceptions.
How do I determine if I have the flu?
Common Influenza-like Illness (ILI) symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, body or head aches, chills, fatigue, and occasionally diarrhea or vomiting. If you exhibit any of these symptoms, especially a fever of 101°F or higher, remain in your room and
contact UHS immediately at (585) 275-2662. The following flowchart can help you distinguish between the flu and a common cold.
(Click for PDF)
For more detailed information on distinguishing between cold and flu symptoms, see "Is it a Cold or Flu? Know the difference." (PDF).
What should I do if I think I have the flu?
The working definition of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) is a fever of 101°F (38.5°C) with cough and/or sore throat.
If you are experiencing symptoms of ILI:
1. Stay home. You should stay at home or in your room until cleared by UHS. That means you cannot go to class or to work while you are ill. You can go home to stay with your family if a family member can come to campus to pick you up and drive you in the car. You cannot use public transportation while you are ill.
2. Wear a surgical mask—if you are sick. Wear a surgical mask if there is anybody else in your room and whenever you leave your room (ex. to use a shared bathroom) to protect those around you. UHS will provide a mask for you, but please do not go to UHS to pick it up. Contact your RA for a mask, or ask a friend to pick one up for you.
3. Keep in contact with UHS. UHS will make daily contact (probably by phone) with you while you are confined to your room. They will let you know when you can leave your room to return to classes and/or work. You can call UHS at (585) 275-2662.
4. Return to class or work only after you have been fever-free for 24 hours. You must be free of fever without the use of fever-reducing medicines (ex. acetaminophen/Tylenol® or ibuprofen) for 24 hours. It may take up to seven days until you are fever-free. (Do not take aspirin to try to reduce your fever. Using aspirin could lead to Reyes Syndrome, a serious complication.)
5. Have your food picked up. Dining Services is prepared to send boxed meals to students who cannot leave their rooms. If you are ill, do not go to the dining centers. A friend or your RA can bring your ID to a dining center to pick up food for you.
6. Protect your roommate(s). In most cases, you will still be living in close quarters to your roommate(s). Avoid close contact, do not share personal items, and wear your surgical mask when your roommate is in the room.
If your roommate is at higher risk for complications, you or your roommate may be moved to an isolation area until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines (ex., acetaminophen/Tylenol® or ibuprofen). You may need to come to UHS and stay in the boarding room for a few hours until we can make arrangements for you. If you live close to the University, you may be asked to go home during your illness.
If you have any further questions or medical concerns, please contact UHS via email or at (585) 275-2662.
What should I do if my roommate is exhibiting flu-like symptoms?
Don't Panic— Having an ill roommate does not mean you will get the flu.
Ask your roommate if he/she has called University Health Service. UHS tracks the progress of ill students via a secure database that is shared between leading health and safety officers at the University. For this and other reasons, it is critical that all sick students keep in close communication with UHS. If UHS hasn't been contacted, you can call them yourself.
Be supportive. Ill students are required to stay in their room, so offering to pick up food, a surgical mask, and anything else that your roommate needs is a huge help (you can bring your roommate's ID, just let the cashier know why you are using it). Respect your roommate's need for peace and quiet. If your friend has the flu, know that this might not be a good time for visitors— try calling instead.
Ask your roommate to wear a surgical mask. Masks are available from your RA and UHS and should be worn by sick students anytime others are near and when leaving the room. Wearing a mask will not prevent you from intaking virus particles, but having your roommate wear one with prevent him/her from spreading such particles in the room.
Follow all of the above tips on staying healthy. Especially when living in close contact with somebody who is sick, good hygiene practices are essential.
If you have a medical condition such as asthma or diabetes that puts you at higher risk of complications from the flu, contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 and talk with the nurse about your situation.
What happens to students who have the flu?
Upon calling University Health Service, students reporting symptoms of Influenza-like Illness will be added to a secure database that is shared between relevant University departments. This database allows UHS to check on the progress of each student daily. Even if no same-day appointments are available, anybody experiencing these symptoms will be able to (and should) talk with a registered nurse over the phone. All sick students will be told to stay in their room until they have been fever-free while not taking fever reducing medicines (ex. acetaminophen/Tylenol® or ibuprofen) for 24 hours. During that time, students should ask a roommate, RA, or friend to take their ID to a dining center and deliver food to their room. Ill students will be provided with a surgical mask by their RA or UHS to wear when in contact with other people or when leaving their room to use the bathroom. In the event that a sick student lives with somebody who has a medical condition (such as asthma or diabetes) that increases the chance for influenza related complications, the sick person or his/her roommate may be relocated.
If you have any further questions contact UHS at (585) 275-2662.
How can I stay up to date?
Note: Web resources are meant to provide convenient access to basic tips and information. This guide should never be used as a supplement for personal advice from a healthcare professional. Seek medical attention if you are concerned in any way about your health. Corrections should be submitted promptly to the webmaster via our feedback page or email.
