Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It spreads from person-to-person and can cause mild to severe illness; and in every flu season, it is responsible for some cases that result in death. In the U.S., yearly outbreaks of seasonal flu usually happen during the fall through early spring. Flu viruses can cause illness in people of any age group. Some groups are more likely to have complications from the seasonal flu. These include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
This flu season (2009-2010), there are more uncertainties than usual because of the emergence of a new H1N1 (Swine) flu virus. The H1N1 virus – along with regular seasonal viruses – will cause illness, hospital stays, and deaths this flu season in the United States. Scientists are concerned that the 2009 H1N1 flu virus may cause the season to be worse than a regular flu season – with a lot more people getting sick, being hospitalized and dying than during a regular seasonal flu period.
There are a number of things you can actively do to Fight the Flu! They include:
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• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective. The campus has placed hand sanitizers in each classroom and hallways within the Bell Tower. Additional hand sanitizers will be placed in other campus building hallways soon. • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way. • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering. Other symptoms include a cough or sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. • Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Don’t go to class or work. |
Page Links:
View the CDC “Take 3” Steps to Fight the Flu (PDF)
