Influenza

Flu Shots at UHS
Preventing the Flu
Flu Symptoms / Groups at Higher Risk / What to Do if You Think You Have the Flu
Medical Treatment of the Flu
Self-care and Over-the-Counter Medications for the Flu

Preventing the Flu

Cold and flu viruses spread mainly when someone who has a cold or the flu coughs or sneezes, potentially propelling virus-laden respiratory droplets several feet through the air. You can become infected by inhaling these droplets or by touching a surface that has been contaminated by these droplets (like a desk, doorknob or keyboard) and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

• Get a flu shot every fall.
• Keep your hands clean. Carry alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and use it often. See The proper way to wash your hands below.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow or sleeve. When you use a tissue, throw it in the trash immediately.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Don't eat, drink, or smoke after others.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if they have fever, cough, and a sore throat.
• Get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, manage stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

Help prevent the flu. Print and post as many flyers or posters as you need to remind Longhorn students, faculty and staff what they can do to stop germs.

Print and post a Healthyhorns Stop Germs poster 11"x17" (PDF)

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

www.cdc.gov/flu

The Proper Way to Wash your Hands

• If you have to touch a dispenser to get a paper towel, get it BEFORE you wash your hands, or operate the dispenser with your elbow.
• Use soap and warm water.
• Wash the front and back of your hands, your thumbs, between your fingers, and around your fingernails for 15-20 seconds -- the equivalent of singing two verses of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."
• Rinse and dry your hands thoroughly. Push the "start" button of all dryers with your elbow.
• If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the water and open the door. Toss it in the nearest waste basket.

Flu Symptoms / What to do if you think you have the flu.

If you're a UT student and have flu symptoms,

• When UHS is open (8am – 5pm weekdays) call 512-471-4955 to schedule an appointment.
• When UHS is closed
  • If you want to be evaluated to get anti-viral medication, and it will be more than 48 hours after your symptoms began before you can get a UHS appointment (e.g. UHS is closed for the weekend), please go to an off-campus urgent care clinic.
  • If you want to know whether your symptoms are consistent with the flu and/or how to care for yourself at home – call the After-hours Nurse Advice Line at (512) 475-6877. NOTE: After-hours nurses cannot prescribe anti-viral medication AND cannot schedule an appointment for you.

The symptoms of influenza generally include:

• Fever greater than 100° F
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Extreme fatigue

Illnesses with a lot of nasal congestion and mild fever are probably not the flu. People may have only one or two symptoms besides a fever, or they may have many.

Most people who have the flu recover without needing medical treatment. But serious complications like pneumonia can occur and may be more likely in certain people such as those who:

• are age 65 or older;
• have a chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except high blood pressure alone), kidney, liver, blood (including sickle cell disease) or metabolic (including diabetes) disorder and/or a neurological disorder (including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscles such as cerebral palsy, seizure disorders, stroke)
• have a suppressed immune system, including that caused by medications or HIV infection;
• are pregnant or within 2 weeks after delivery;
• are age 19 or younger and are on long-term aspirin therapy; and/or
• are morbidly obese (body-mass index of 40 or greater)

If You Have Flu Symptoms

• Stay home or in your room and limit contact with others, except to get medical care if needed.
• Get lots of rest.
• Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids (such as water, juice, tea, sports drinks) to prevent dehydration.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Eat well balanced, nutritious foods.
  • Ask a friend to bring you food to limit your contact with others.
  • If you live in a residence hall, ask your RA how you can have meals delivered to your room.
• Monitor your temperature. Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without having to use fever-reducing medications.
• Ease your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and the home remedies, on the chart below.

Medical Treatment of the Flu

*CAUTION - Many cold and cough medicines contain acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Check the active ingredients and take no more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at a time. Ask a pharmacist to help you find the right medication.