You have flu symptoms or have been advised by your healthcare provider that you have the flu. What should you do?

Students are advised to visit the Student Health Center if they have a persistent fever accompanied by body aches, fatigue, runny nose, etc. In most situations, healthy students do not require a medical visit if they are recovering well on their own. An unnecessary visit to the health enter may just expose others.

What should you do, if you are in one of the high-risk groups for severe complications from Influenza A (H1N1) and have flu symptoms?

If you are in one of the high risk groups for severe complications from Influenza A (H1N1), which include pregnant women, those with respiratory disease (asthma, COPD), heart disease, diabetes, renal disease, morbid obesity or who have compromised immune system or are on chronic aspirin therapy, please seek medical advice about Influenza A (H1N1). Contact the Health Center at 315-684-6078 to schedule an appointment. Make it clear you are in a high-risk group for influenza complications and have flu symptoms.

What should you do about Influenza A (H1N1), if you live in one of the residence halls?

All residential students are asked to alert their Residence Director by e-mail or phone if they develop flu-like symptoms. You should then remain in your room as much as possible and limit your contact with others until you are without fever and without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours. When contact with others is unavoidable, please use a surgical mask. You may obtain this surgical mask, along with a disposable thermometer at the Student Health Center. If you have a temperature above 100.5, we may suggest moving you to an isolation suite if one is available. If possible, try to contact your instructors and/or teaching assistants by e-mail or phone to let them know you have the flu, so that the appropriate accommodations can be made.

If you have flu symptoms, should you come to campus?

As with any seasonal flu or communicable disease, you should try to limit contact with others to contain the spread of the disease. It is best if you remain at home until you are better and are no longer infectious.

What about classes and other academic obligations?

Evaluate your obligations for the next week and where necessary contact your instructors directly to apprise them of your situation and to arrange an appropriate accommodation such as accessing course material electronically, submitting papers or other coursework via e-mail, re-scheduling a test, performing an alternative assignment, etc.

If you have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed as having Influenza A (H1N1), should you quarantine yourself at home or in your room?

No. Only people who develop flu symptoms should remain at home until they are better and are no longer infectious.

If you are planning on traveling, are there any special precautions you should take?

Please refer to CDC’s web site for "Outbreak Notice: Novel H1N1 Flu: Global Situation".

What to do if your roommate is ill with the flu?

A person with the flu is contagious (able to infect others) for 24 hours before they even know they have the flu (before symptoms of flu begin) so it is possible you have already been exposed. To decrease further risk, consider following these precautions:

• If at all possible maintain a distance of 6 feet from your ill roommate. The virus drops out of the air between 3 and 6 feet after a person coughs
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face, mouth or eyes
• Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces

Will the school provide the H1N1 vaccine to students when it becomes available?

The College is presently on a waiting list to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Those at highest risk will have the option of receiving the vaccine first. These groups as identified by the CDC include: pregnant women, caregivers of infants younger than 6 months, health care workers, those with immune-compromised conditions (IE: Asthma, diabetes, lupus), and others ages 6 months – 24 years of age. For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations.

It is recommended that everyone (particularly those with chronic diseases that place them at risk for complications from all flu viruses (both “seasonal (regular) flu and the new H1N1)receive the seasonal flu vaccine in addition to the H1N1 vaccine (when available).

I’ve been advised/chosen to stay in my room until my symptoms pass, or I have the flu and I do not feel well enough to go out. How do I order a meal?

To order a take-out sick meal:

• View the Sick Meal Pick-Up Request Form for a current list of items available
• Call 684-6047 to order your take-out sick meal. Please allow two hours notice.
• Send a designated individual to pick up your take-out sick meal