Health Services

Flu Information

Seasonal and H1N1 Influenza can spread quickly in large group settings.

IT’S IMPORTANT THAT STUDENTS, STAFF AND VISITORS WHO FEEL SICK STAY AT HOME.

If you have any of signs and symptoms of the flu, please call your primary care physician or the College Health Service at (518) 629-7468 or plan to return home until you feel well and are fever free without fever reducing medications for 24 hours.

Prevention and Clinical Message

• How can I reduce the chance that I will get flu?
• What are the symptoms of flu?
• What should I do if I have the flu?
• When should I call a Doctor?

Online Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Influenza Like Illness
• National Institutes of Health
• NYS Department of Health: Novel H1N1
• World Health Organization

Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) Tool Kit

Poster: Keep Your Germs to Yourself

Brochure: When Someone at Home has the Flu

How can I reduce the chance that I will get flu?

• There are several things you can do to avoid contact with the flu virus.
• Do not touch your face, mouth, eyes or nose.
• Wash your hands. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid people who are infected with the flu.
• Try to avoid crowded places and stay at least six feet away from other individuals who may be ill.

What are the symptoms of flu?

Symptoms of Flu include:

• Extreme Fatigue
• Body aches
• Chills
• Dry cough
• Fever *
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose
• Nausea and vomiting or diarrhea

*Please note: Fever is always discussed with talking about the flu but there are times when people who have the flu are not feverish. If you don’t have a fever but have the other symptoms you may very well have the flu.

What should I do if I have the flu?

If influenza has been reported in the area and you develop influenza symptoms, such as those cited above, you should stay home until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without using fever- reducing mediations. Be aware, however, that some people who have influenza do not have fever. If you are experiencing several of the other flu symptoms listed above stay home until the severity of your symptoms has subsided. Symptoms typically last four to seven days.

Stay away from others as much as possible to keep from transferring the disease. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care.

When should I call a Doctor?

You are at higher risk for complications with the conditions listed below and should contact you health care provider if you develop influenza symptoms and are 65 years and older, are pregnant or have any of the following conditions:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Obesity

You should also seek medical care if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu like symptoms that improve and then return with fever