Actions to Help Prevent Getting the Flu

As the academic year gets underway, students should note that college campuses – where students attend class, live, eat, and socialize together - are considered great breeding grounds for contagious illnesses such as the flu and the common cold.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following EVERYDAY ACTIONS to prevent getting the flu, including H1N1:

• 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 are spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick

• While you are sick, limit your contact with others.

Additional recommendations:

• Keep your stuff – desk top, bathroom countertops, door knobs, etc. - clean, especially when you, your roommate or suitemate, or one of your other friends has the flu or a cold.

• Don't share drinking glasses or utensils with others, especially if you or one of your friends is sick with the flu or has a cold

Additional actions to protect yourself and others from the flu:

• Take time to get vaccinated.
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor recommends them.