Preparedness Guidelines for Students

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends several actions that may keep you from getting sick with the flu:

1.    Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

2.    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.

3.    Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick 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). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed.

4.    Frequently clean your living quarters. If you live together with other students, you should frequently clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, computer keyboards, countertops, faucet handles, and bathroom areas.

5.    Talk to your health care provider or the RU student health center to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. This is especially important if you are at higher risk from complications from influenza viruses.

Additional information on the web:

• Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination.
• Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
• More expanded information about influenza is available at this site: www.flu.gov

·         Find out how CDC is using social networking sites at CDC.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/SocialNetworking.html

·         Find out more about CDC's use of online videos at CDC.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/OnlineVideo.html

·         To listen to CDC podcasts on novel H1N1 flu and how handwashing can help stop the spread of infection and help you stay healthy. Podcasts can be accessed directly from the CDC Web site, or you can download audio and/or video podcasts to your desktop and portable music/video player for health information at your convenience and on the go. Learn more about podcasts at CDC visit CDC.gov/SocialMedia/Tools/Podcasts.html