Can you afford to miss three or four days of classes due to the flu?
Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses and spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. It can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to death. A $25 flu shot – along with practicing good personal hygiene – can minimize your risk of getting the flu.
Who should get a flu shot? Everyone!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that every individual over the age of 6 months get vaccinated. Vaccination is strongly recommended for those with a chronic health condition, especially those with:
Symptoms of the flu:
The flu is a viral illness and is treated to manage the symptoms, not with antibiotics. Mild flu symptoms may be self-treated with increased fluids, rest, and over the counter medications.
Moderate to severe symptoms should be evaluated by a health care provider.
If you have concerns about your symptoms, seek medical attention by calling Perrella Health Center at 607-431-4120 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) for an appointment.
Flu symptoms can be evaluated at convenient care/urgent care after hours/weekends.
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Treatment after hours and weekends:
Bassett Convenient Care: open Monday to Friday: 8 am to 7 pm; weekends 9 am to 4 pm,
607-433-6400 -Call 24 hours/day to schedule same day or next day appointment.
Fox Hospital Emergency Department: open seven days per week, 24 hours per day, 607-431-5000
Wellnow Urgent Care: open seven days a week: 8 am to 8 pm, 607-376-5346 -Walk In Care
Personal Prevention:
Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective and can be found at key locations on campus including The Commons, The Stevens-German Library and Binder Physical Education Center.
Cover 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 as germs are spread this way.
Frequently wipe shared surfaces in your residence hall or off-campus housing with a mild disinfectant.
Stay home if you have the flu or flu-like symptoms.
Those who become sick should remain at home for at least 24 hours after a fever or signs of a fever have subsided. This should be determined without the use of a fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen, not aspirin).
Students should personally notify their faculty regarding class absences .
Perrella Health Center encourages students to have their own self-care flu kits. The following items should be included:
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For the most up-to-date information on the flu visit the following websites:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: www.flu.gov
U.S. Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm