Influenza-Like Illness

SEE INFORMATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR H1N1 CLINICS

Vaccination Beats Isolation - Feb '10

Five Good Reasons to Get your Free H1N1 Vaccination Now

1)  Public Health experts advise us that we are currently in the window during which the third wave of the H1N1 pandemic can be expected to occur.  A number of the students seen for influenza like illness in the fall were very ill with five or more days of high fever, terrible cough, severe body aches and other miserable symptoms which precluded going to class, socializing or participating in athletic endeavors.

2)  Relatively few people on campus have been vaccinated.  The risk of a big wave of influenza on campus persists.

3)  There is still no widely available rapid point-of-care test to distinguish between seasonal flu, H1N1, or other influenza-like illnesses.  We are still advised to treat patients with influenza-like illness (fever >100^o F with cough or sore throat in the absence of competing diagnosis) as if they have H1N1.  This means recommending self-isolation and providing relocation when necessary.  Patients who have been vaccinated against H1N1 are considered protected and would not need to be isolated as aggressively.

4)  The safety profile of the vaccine to date has been excellent, equivalent to seasonal flu vaccine.

5)  The vaccine is free and readily available for students, faculty and staff at the Davison Health Center by calling (860) 685-2470 to schedule an appointment.


In an effort to limit the spread of flu-like illness among our students, we ask that you first read the following information and then call the Health Center if you have any questions or concerns. If it is decided that you need to come to Health Services to be evaluated, the Nurse will explain how best to arrange a visit.

How does flu-like illness spread?

Influenza virus spreads from an ill person to others mainly through coughing or sneezing.

What are the symptoms of flu-like illness?

Symptoms of the flu may include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  Influenza-like illness is defined as a fever (100 ˚or greater)  plus cough and/or sore throat.  However, some people with influenza will not have fever. If in doubt, call your health care provider to discuss your symptoms.  Students are encouraged to call the Davison Health Center flu line (860) 685-2653 Monday-Friday 9-4 and the 24-hour line (860) 685-2470 at other times.

For more information on Flu, see:   www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

If, after conversation with the nurse, it is determined that you meet the criteria for flu-like illness, the nurse will assist you in planning for appropriate care.

Self-care Instructions

Let your Dean and professors know that you have been instructed to go into self-isolation for an influenza-like illness.

If you are being relocated, residential life will be notified and will contact you when a room is available. Please bring bed linens, towels, personal items, and toiletries with you.

Stay in your room and REST!

Stay away from others (self-isolation)

·        No classes

·        No labs

·        No sports

·        No dining hall

·        If you share living quarters avoid contact with other individuals, and if it is impossible to avoid being in same room, maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.

·        Use a mask if face-to-face contact is unavoidable (such as when being transported by Public Safety).

Drink plenty of fluids (water, herbal or decaffeinated tea, clear juices, broth).

Take fever-reducing medicine (Ibuprofen or Tylenol, but not Aspirin)

Tylenol or Ibuprofen will also help with headache and body aches. Follow instructions on medication bottle.

Check your temperature twice a day.

Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer to avoid spreading the virus. Avoid touching your face or eyes.

Cough into your elbow instead of your hand.

When to Call the Health Center

If communication with Health Center staff has already been established:

• Call with problems, questions or concerns.

• Call Health Center Flu Line (860-685-2563) Mon - Fri 9am-4pm for Health Center clearance when you think you may be ready to return to class.  When you are feeling generally better and your fever has been down (below 100 degrees) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications, you probably will be cleared to return to class.

• For urgent problems or questions call the main Health Center line (860-685-2470)

If you think you may have the Flu but have not yet been in communication with the Health Center:

• If your symptoms are not severe, you may wait until daytime hours to report a flu-like illness.  Call the Flu Line (860-685-2653) Mon - Fri 9am-4pm.

• For urgent problems or questions call the main Health Center line (860-685-2470).

Additional self-care information is at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

Emergency Warning Signs

Consult with a health care provider (Health Center 860/685-2470) without delay if you are ill and develop any of the following:

·        Trouble breathing or shortness of breath

·        Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

·        Sudden dizziness

·        Confusion

·        Severe or persistent vomiting

·        Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

·        Rash


Additional self-care information is at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm and
Information for people with asthma:  http://www.flu.gov/pdfs/asthma.pdf

Phone numbers

Davison Health Center: 860/685-2653 (Flu Line - Mon-Fri 9-4)) or 860/685-2470 (main Health Center line)
Residential Life: 860/685- 3550
Dining Services: 860/685-3616

 H1N1 VACCINE AVAILABILITY