H1N1 Flu Virus Information For CU-Boulder Students & Parents
For information on flu shots visit the Wardenburg Health Center Flu Vaccine Information Web site.
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Although H1N1 influenza continues to be widespread around the country and worldwide, at this time it is not considered to be any more virulent or dangerous than regular seasonal flu. This situation is not a cause for alarm, but it is a reason for planning and taking basic, sensible measures to watch for and manage influenza-like illness (ILI – fever generally over 100.4˚F with either cough or sore throat).
Our residence halls are full for the fall 2009 semester. Therefore, in the event that a student gets sick, it will not be possible to move the student or the student’s roommate. Ill students are encouraged to self-isolate as much as possible, practice good hygiene and good respiratory etiquette. Roommates also should adhere to good hygiene practices and respiratory etiquette. Do not share cups, utensils, drinks, make-up or lip balm, and refrain from close face-to-face contact. Dining services can provide sick trays for students who are ill.
Everyone should wash their hands thoroughly and frequently and use hand sanitizer, and everyone should cover their nose and mouth with their sleeve or elbow or a tissue that is immediately discarded, when they cough or sneeze. Flyers reminding students about hand washing and respiratory etiquette are posted in the residence halls. Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in all residence hall bathrooms and at the entrance to all dining centers.
Persons with ILI should stay home and away from large gatherings for at least 24 hours after any fever is gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.
Promptly seek medical care if you are in a high-risk group (such as diabetes, asthma or other lung condition; compromised immune system; or pregnant) or if your condition worsens (shortness of breath, extremely high fever with headache, etc.).
If campus residents have been in close contact with someone with ILI, they should self-monitor for symptoms and stay at home or in their room if they develop symptoms. Generally, the incubation period for flu is between 1-4 days and sometimes as long as 7 days. The duration of flu symptoms varies but can be at least 7-10 days.
Additional Tips For Students
- It is vitally important that students, faculty, staff and visitors follow the personal health protocols prescribed and available on this website. The Wardenburg Health Center Campus H1N1 Flu Information website has additional tips and information.
- Stay in touch with your parents and family members and update them from time to time about how you’re doing. It helps create calm at home and strengthens your support network.
- Please do not joke or make social networking website postings (on Facebook, for example) about having the virus or about the status of the virus on the CU-Boulder campus.
- It is safe to eat properly prepared pork products.
- Students are strongly cautioned not to use the H1N1 virus as an excuse to avoid completing academic responsibilities, scheduled appointments, OJA proceedings, or other mandatory obligations.
- Stay alert and watch for news on the CU website, on news sites, and in your email. Look for Buff Bulletins and Administrative E-memos with helpful updates and information.
- Students should pay close attention to their health and not neglect the need to eat, sleep and take study breaks.
- For more tips on guarding against transmission of the H1N1 virus, visit The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
