Jefferson
H1N1 Influenza Information for Students
For Students
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For Parents
As students who are pursing careers in healthcare and also training in clinical settings, it is critical for you to be keenly aware of the symptoms and treatment for the seasonal and H1N1 flu, and important for you to be prepared.
University Health Services (UHS) continues to see a number of individuals with presumed and confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza, and is preparing for additional community members to be affected during the flu season. You can take steps to protect yourself to avoid becoming ill, or reduce the spread of flu if you do become infected. We urge you to review the health information on this web site and take the necessary precautions to help keep you and everyone on campus healthy.
It is very important that you monitor yourself for the following flu-like symptoms:
- Fever (greater than 100°F or 37.8°C)
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Stuffy nose
- Chills
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
And consider taking the following actions to prevent the flu, treat it, and even plan for its potential impact on campus services.
What You Should Do to Avoid the Flu
- When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or, if you do not have a tissue, your sleeve. Do not sneeze or cough into your bare hands. Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Wash your hands often and especially after you cough or sneeze. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand gel.
- Don’t share drinks, food, toothbrushes or eating utensils.
If you develop symptoms of influenza-like illness, do not go to class or other public places until you are fever free (without medication) for 24 hours
Contact UHS by telephone at (215) 955-6835 for guidance about treatment and answers to your questions.
- Promptly seek medical attention if you have a medical condition that places you at higher risk of flu-related complications. (pregnancy, severe illness or underlying health conditions such as severe asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, immune deficiency).
- Those living in campus-housing should try to return home to keep from making others in the residence hall sick. Ill students should be driven and travel in a way that limits contact with others (e.g., avoid public transportation).
- If that is not possible, self-isolate; that is, stay home and away from other people until you no longer have signs of fever (without medication) for 24 hours.
- Seek emergency care immediately if you develop severe symptoms including increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, fast breathing, bluish skin color, severe or persistent vomiting, sudden dizziness, confusion and flu-like symptoms which improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
Contact Your Instructors Immediately
Let your professor know of your illness and that you will be missing class. You are responsible for making up any work and coordinating with your instructors to minimize the disruption caused by your absence. If you miss more than a week of class, contact the advising office of your program or school.
Be Aware of Potential Class Cancellations
Classes may be cancelled under the advisement of local health authorities. You will be notified of cancellations via this site, our Intranet sites, e-mail and through JeffALERT our Emergency Notification System that can send out alerts through text messaging, voicemail and e-mail to cell phones, landline phones, and PDAs.Students, please visit our JeffALERT web site to learn how to update your contact information so you receive these alerts. If classes are cancelled, we may recommend that you return home to avoid unnecessary contact with others.
Plan Ahead!
What will you do if you have to stay at home due to illness or if residence halls are closed?
- Talk with your family or friends about what your plans would be if the residence halls were to close.
- If you live alone, think of someone you could ask for help if you became very ill with the flu. Discuss with that person what you might need and how he or she could help.
- Display the phone number of your family doctor so it can easily be seen. Find a doctor this month if you don't have one already. Students may visit University Health Services (833 Chestnut St., Suite 205; 215-955-6835) if they are ill.
Prepare for an Emergency
Have supplies on hand in case of an emergency.
- Periodically check your prescription drugs to ensure a continuous supply. Your health plan may allow you to refill prescriptions earlier than usual.
- Have any nonprescription drugs and other health and hygiene supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, vitamins, thermometers, as well as soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizer, toothpaste, tissues, toilet paper, cleaning products, gloves and masks.
- If you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This preparation can be useful in other types of emergencies as well, such as power outages and natural disasters.
Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for a full checklist of supplies.
Visit our Student FAQs area for more detailed information.
Latest Info
UNIVERSITY STATUS
The University is open and operating normally.
All students, faculty and staff with flu-like symptoms are urged to remain out of class, the library, offices and other public places. You may resume normal activity only after being fever free for 24 hours (without medication). This applies to those WITHOUT patient care responsibilities.
For up-to-the-minute information about influenza, please see the Centers for Disease Control web site.
For up-to-the-minute information about the Philadelphia area please see the Philadelphia Department of Public Health web site.
For the latest case count in Pennsylvania, please visit the PA Department of Health web site.
STAFF & FACULTY
Inquiries about international travel should be directed to the Office of International Affairs at (215) 503-4335.
