Flu Tips
Symptoms of the flu include:
- Fever (101° – 104°), lasting 3 – 5 days
- Headache, severe muscle and joint aches
- Sore throat
- Tiredness, can be extreme and last 2 weeks or more
- Dry cough
- Runny or stuffy nose
What to do if you have flu symptoms:
- Rest in bed
- Drink lots of fluids (water or juice)
- Take non-aspirin pain relievers to reduce fever and pain (Never give aspirin to children or teens with fever - they can get a serious disease called Reye syndrome.)
- Stay home and avoid public activities for at least 5 days (7 days for children), so that you don’t pass the flu to other people
Flu Update 10-9
As of this morning, we have gone over 100 diagnosed cases of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) since the start of the school year. There are currently 14 students who are under care. While the number of students under care at any given time has had its ups and downs since the start of the year, the average number has been about ten.
The Health Center held two seasonal flu clinics this past week and dispensed their stock of seasonal flu vaccine. There will be subsequent seasonal flu clinics when additional vaccine arrives.
The flu visit to Brandeis thus far has had its challenges, but without exception the community has reacted impressively. But we cannot relax. Everyone must continue to practice the simple tips that we have been circulating. If you become ill with the flu, we need you to practice self-isolation. We have been caring for students ‘in place’, but this is only successful if the sick student stays in his or her space, and wears a mask when others are present. If you are sick, please do not leave your room unless it is to use the bathroom or go to the Health Center. Please do not socialize outside your room, even when you start to feel better. Use the dining services web site to access ‘Feeling Blue’ meals that someone can pick up for you. Please do not resume your normal academic and social life until you have been ‘cleared’ by the Health Center. If your roommate or suitemate becomes ill, please respond to Community Living promptly to put a plan in place for you and your roommate.
Faculty members have been asked to adjust attendance and work requirements for students who have become ill. Do not go to class if you are sick. Make sure the Health Center has diagnosed your sickness so that your faculty can be informed that you will not be in class.
Remember that the Health Center is open on weekends from 10 am to 4 pm. If you need to speak to someone there during weekday or weekend after hours, there is an on-call staff person reachable through the number on their web site – 736-3677, or through Dispatch (x63000).
Information about the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed as soon as we have exact arrival information. We are told the vaccine will be available in Massachusetts in early November. College age students are high on the priority list, but not at the top. The first batch we receive will be for students with pre-existing conditions that create elevated risk. Notification about the first wave of vaccine will go out as soon as it is available. If you have questions about what conditions constitute elevated risk, please consult the Health Center web site at brandeis.edu/studentaffairs/health Other informative sites can be linked from the Health Center web site.
Thank you for staying calm, cooperating, and caring.