Flu at UST reported
From Student Health Service
Student Health Service has reported a number of students diagnosed with Influenza A on campus. Students are encouraged to contact the Student Health Service if they experience flu-like symptoms, which include high fever, shaking chills, generalized body aching and a dry cough.
The Minnesota Department of Health continues to report increasing incidence of influenza statewide, indicating that the flu season has not yet reached its peak. It is not too late to get a flu shot to help prevent acquiring influenza. Call (651) 962-6750 to schedule an appointment; cost is $20.
Influenza is a serious respiratory disease that is spread primarily through coughing and sneezing. Approximately 36,000 Americans die of influenza-related illness each year. Even for those who are healthy, influenza can cause high fever, cough, body aches, headaches, and other symptoms that may last a week or more, resulting in missed classes, assignments, exams or workdays. In addition, college students can spread influenza in the community and even expose their own family members, some of whom may be at risk of complications – such as the elderly or very young. Vaccination of college students and staff is the best way to prevent influenza on college campuses and their surrounding communities.
The Center for Disease Control and the American College Health Association released a joint letter encouraging influenza vaccination for all students who live in residential housing and for students and their close contacts (e.g., roommates, family members) who have medical conditions that may increase their risk of influenza-related conditions. Those students and staff planning on studying abroad also would benefit from influenza vaccination.
Influenza Prevention Tips:
Stay as healthy as you can. Get plenty of rest, don’t smoke, and if you drink limit your alcohol intake to no more than one or two drinks in one sitting, and eat a balanced diet.
- Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
- Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
- Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
- Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
Links:
