Information for Residential Students about Pandemic Flu Preparedness

The first priority is for members of the University community to protect themselves and others in order to stay healthy.

•  Maintain a healthy lifestyle through adequate rest, exercise, and relaxation.
•  Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds.  If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol based hand cleaner.  Be sure to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
•  Avoid touching your nose mouth, and eyes.  Germs spread readily this way.
•  Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough and sneeze into your elbow.  Dispose of tissues in no-touch trash receptacles.
•  Keep frequently touched common surfaces clean, such as telephones, keyboards, doorknobs, etc.
•  Be sure to clean shared exercise equipment before and after use.
•  Do not share others’ phones, headphones, or other personal items without cleaning them first.
•  Don’t spread the flu!  If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay in your room.  Symptoms of flu include fever (100 degrees F or 38 degrees C) or chills and cough or sore throat.  Additional symptoms can include body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.  The University is following the CDC recommendations and asking you to stay home for at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (without the use of fever reducing medicines). 
•  If you are sick, if practical, return to your permanent home to recover.
•  If you must stay on campus, call the front desk of your hall to let them know.  They can arrange for food delivery, and other support.  When using shared spaces (such as restrooms) wear a face (surgical) mask, or use them during off times when others are not present.
•  Get vaccinated!  Seasonal flu vaccine is available now through University Health Services.  Vaccine for the H1N1 flu is expected to be available beginning in October.  The University will announce this availability.
•  Keep a stockpile in your room of essentials for an illness.  Items like hand sanitizer, over-the-counter pain and fever medicine, cough drops, hydration drinks will go a long way toward making an illness less miserable.