Influenza prevention
Influenza is thought to spread by contact with respiratory droplets. Therefore, students,
faculty and staff can reduce their risk for contracting and spreading these infections
by getting a yearly flu shot and practicing good hygiene.
Free flu vaccines available for students at the Decker Student Health Services Center
(DSHSC)
Every year the DSHSC provides free flu shots to students. While supplies last, the
Decker Student Health Services Center is administering free influenza vaccines to
students. Students may schedule a same day, walk-in appointment by going to the patient portal, selecting the clinic “Influenza Vaccine Clinic,” then choosing the appointment reason
“Influenza Vaccine Appointment.” Change the date of the search to look for appointments
on the day you desire to get your vaccine.
Other precautions to take:
- Regularly clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water for
at least 20 seconds.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
People with the flu should not go out in public, other than to seek medical care,
until their temperature is less than 100° for 24 hours and all other symptoms are
improving.
For more information on influenza, visit the CDC website.
- How does the flu spread?Influenza (“the flu”) is spread by contact with the respiratory droplets or secretions
of infected individuals. After contact with the flu virus, 1 – 4 days usually pass
before symptoms develop. A person with the flu is contagious from the day before they
develop symptoms until their symptoms are improving and their temperature is less
than 100°F for 24 hours (without using
medication to lower their temperature).
- What are symptoms of the flu?Symptoms of influenza may include any combination of the following: sore throat, nasal
congestion, cough, body aches,
fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. Sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. There is
no reliable way to tell the difference between influenza, a cold, and COVID-19 without
performing a test. If a student is at high risk from either the flu or COVID-19, they
should seek a test within the first 48 hours of developing symptoms, even if they
seem mild.
- What should I do if I have flu symptoms?People at low risk for complications from the flu do not need to seek medical care,
unlike those at high risk. Low risk individuals should prevent spreading the infection
to others by staying away from other people until all of their symptoms are improving
and their fever is less than 100°F for 24 hours (without using medication to lower
their temperature). Symptomatic individuals are urged to work with their professors
and NOT to attend classes. The use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen is recommended to
control fever and pain, as is rest and increasing fluid intake. Those at high risk
from influenza should see a medical provider as a medication is available to reduce
their risk of complications. The medication must be started within 48 hours of symptom
onset.
- Am I at high risk for flu-related complications?Check the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website to see if you are at high risk of complications from influenza.