"Campus Hit by Flu....Information for Parents"
Many parents have been in contact with their students and know that the SU campus has been hit with the flu. We have sent emails to students regarding the signs and symptoms of flu, and how to manage their illness. Please see the email sent out on February 5th to all students, faculty and staff, which is below. We are advising students to use over the counter medications to medicate the fever, body aches, cough and congestion. We have free over the counter meds here in Student Health. Their symptoms should begin improving in about 3 -4 days. If a student's fever continues, cough or congestion worsens after that period of time, they should make an appointment to be seen. It is not uncommon for the fatigue, cough and overall ill feeling to last up to 7 - 10 days. Otherwise, students should stay home from classes, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. If students received a flu shot, that should shorten the length of the illness and hopefully take the edge off of the symptoms. Please let students know about the email below if they have not checked their email recently. Students should contact Student Health Services if things worsen or they become concerned about additional symptoms.
this information provided by: Jennifer Berkman, Director, Student Health.
Campus Email sent February 5, 2008:
THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER IS EXPERIENCING A HIGH VOLUME OF PATIENT APPOINTMENTS FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING FLU SYMPTOMS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE FLU IS A VIRAL ILLNESS. WHILE SYMPTOMS CAN BE TREATED, THERE ARE NO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS THAT WILL RID YOU OF THE ILLNESS. OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS LIKE TYLENOL OR ADVIL WILL HELP BRING DOWN THE FEVER AND ALLEVIATE BODY ACHES AND HEADACHES. COMBINATION MEDICATIONS LIKE A DECONGESTANT OR ANTIHISTAMINE CAN HELP WITH COUGH AND CONGESTION. HOWEVER, IT TAKES 3 - 5 DAYS TO BEGIN TO FEEL BETTER, REGARDLESS OF TREATMENT. IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR FATIGUE OR COUGH TO LAST AS LONG AS 7 - 10 DAYS.
IF YOU BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE FLU SYMPTOMS, STAY HOME. FLU USUALLY PRESENTS AS SUDDEN ONSET OF BODY ACHES, HEADACHE, COUGH, CONGESTION, FEVER, AND OVERALL FATIGUE. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE USUALLY WORSE THAN THE COMMON COLD. GET REST, DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS AND TAKE OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS FOR THE SYMPTOMS. STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES HAS OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS AVAILABLE FOR FREE IN OUR SELF CARE CENTER.
IF YOU DO NOT FEEL BETTER AFTER 3 - 5 DAYS OR IF YOUR COUGH, CONGESTION OR FEVER (ABOVE 101 DEGREES) WORSENS AFTER THAT TIME, SEEK MEDICAL CARE. FLU SHOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THE WICOMICO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE LOCATED AT 300 E. CARROLL STREET, NEXT TO THE HOSPITAL. YOU MAY CALL 410-543-6943 TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. THE COST IS $20.00. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MANAGING THE FLU, GO TO: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms.htm.