Influenza
Alert--it is flu season!
Students may call the Health Center at 289-8064 for an appointment for a flu shot, while supply lasts. Cost is $25, and it may be billed to your student account.
If you need information about receiving a flu shot off campus, see our local pharmacies page for links to individual pharmacy info.
Want to track influenza in the United States? Go to the Centers for Disease Control Flu Activity map.
What is Influenza?
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus.
What are the Symptoms?
Symptoms start suddenly with fever (>100.5° F), weakness and fatigue, dry cough, headache, and body aches. Other flu symptoms may include sore eyes, runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, congestion, and burning chest pain. Infrequently, vomiting and diarrhea may occur. Symptoms are most severe for the first two to three days of the illness, and it may take five to ten days to resolve.
How is Flu Spread?
The flu virus lives in the nose and throat. Coughing, sneezing, nose blowing, kissing, sharing drinks, and hand-to-hand contact spread the virus. Flu symptoms usually start one to three days after exposure to the virus. Adults are infectious from one day before the onset of symptoms to approximately 5 days after symptom onset.
What Can I Do for the Flu?
Prevention is the best medicine--get a flu shot every fall. Once an outbreak hits campus, it is still not too late to be vaccinated. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses; however, there are certain anti-viral medications that can help lessen the severity of flu symptoms and shorten the course of the illness by a few days. To be effective, the anti-viral medicines must be started within the first two days of symptom onset. Also, these medications may be used to prevent the flu if you have been exposed through a roommate, family member, or close contact with a flu victim. Anti-viral medicine is available (by prescription) at the SHC. Call Dial-A-Nurse at (804) 289-8700..
to see if the medicine is appropriate for you.
To feel better and help prevent spread of the virus, rest at least 24-48 hours after your temperature returns to normal and do not go to class or social events. Drink fluids such as fruit juices, tea, soup, Jell-O, Gatorade, soda. Hot drinks may help break up congestion. Avoid caffeinated drinks (may be dehydrating) and milk (may increase congestion).
For fever, aches and pains, take either Ibuprofen (such as Motrin or Advil) with food, 200 mg, three pills every six to eight hours or Acetaminophen (such as regular strength Tylenol), 325 mg, two pills every four to six hours. DO NOT TAKE ASPIRIN.
Contraindications to taking Ibuprofen include allergies to aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), asthma, peptic ulcer disease or history of GI bleeding, and chronic renal disease.
For nasal/sinus congestion, take pseudoephedrine (such as Sudafed) 30 mg, two pills every four to six hours (no more than four doses in 24 hours) as needed.
For cough, take an expectorant/suppressant cough medicine (such as Robitussin DM), two teaspoons every four to six hours (no more than 12 teaspoons in 24 hours).
Write down what time you take your medicines and carefully read the label of all combination medications, such as Tylenol Cold and Flu to avoid overdosing.
When Should I Contact the Student Health Center?
• Persistent temperature over 103° F
• Shortness of breath, chest pain or blood-tinged sputum
• Persistent nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Thick yellow or green discharge from the nose, sinuses or ears
Note: If you have a headache with fever or are unsure about your illness, call Dial-A-Nurse at (804) 289-8700. If the SHC is closed, call Campus Police at (804) 289-8911 in the case of an emergency or seek other medical help promptly -- SHC after hours care.