Influenza
There
have been a lot of messages in the news lately about influenza and our campus
is not exempt from a flu outbreak. The main way that influenza viruses are
thought to spread is from person to person in respiratory droplets of coughs
and sneezes. This can happen when
droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person are propelled through the
air and deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby. Influenza viruses may also be spread when a
person touches respiratory droplets of another person or a contaminated object,
like door handles or keyboards, and then touches their own mouth or nose before
washing their hands.
There are everyday
actions people can take to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- You can still get a flu shot in Health Services. No appointment is necessary Monday through Friday during regular hours. The cost is $12.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school until the fever is gone for 24 hours, without medication to control it, and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them. Health Services is prepared to help if you do get sick.
