Flu Advisory

Catawba is preparing for the Flu season. In an effort to keep you informed, Health Services has prepared the following information.

What can I do to stay healthy?

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw the tissue in the trash after use, and wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough in your elbow or upper arm, not your hand.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs are spread this way.
3. Avoid close contact with people who appear to be ill as influenza is thought to be spread mainly per-to-person through coughing and sneezing. Do not eat or drink after others. Do not kiss others.
4.  Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol – based hand sanitizer.
5. Frequently clean your living areas, especially high touch surfaces – bathrooms, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks. Use a disposable wipe to do this.
6. Take advantage of offered vaccinations to prevent the flu !! Catawba College will be offering the H1N1 vaccine to all students free of charge. At this time, we are on a wait list for the seasonal flu vaccine.
7. Get proper rest and nutrition.

What are the symptoms of Influenza?

1. Fever — may or may not be present. Temperature of 100.5 or greater.
2. Body aches
3. Chills
4. Fatigue
5. Cough
6. Sore Throat
7. Headaches
8.  May have vomiting and diarrhea

What you should do if you develop flu like symptoms?

1. Self Isolation.  If live close to campus, return home. If you live on campus, stay in your room to avoid infecting others. DO NOT GO TO CLASS!!!  Contact your professors, through e-mail, to establish their absentee policy and how to make up missed assignments.
2. Establish a "flu – buddy". This ensures that you get proper nutrition and monitoring.
3. Contact Health Services as soon as you suspect you may have the flu.
4. You may attend classes 24 hours after being fever free without the use of a fever reducing medication. (Tylenol or Ibuprofen). Do Not Take Aspirin!!!
5. If you are high risk for flu complications (asthma, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy), contact your healthcare provider. People who develop serious signs and symptoms of illness – chest pain, shortness of breath, severe persistent vomiting, dizziness, confusion,  should seek medical care immediately.

Create a Flu Kit

1. A thermometer
2. Hand Sanitizer Gel
3. Face Masks
4. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
5. Facial Tissues
6. Rehydration Beverages (Gatorade, PowerAde)

FLU PREVENTION & INFORMATION:

• FLU INFORMATION (www.catawba.edu/flu)
• Rowan County H1N1 Flyer (PDF)
• Catawba Focuses on H1N1 Prevention and Education
• CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education

September 3, 2009