Flu Season Update

Encouraging news: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that flu season is on the decline. However, it is critical that our campus community remain vigilant about flu prevention. The best modes of defense remain getting a flu vaccine and practicing good hygiene.

Symptoms of flu usually come on suddenly and include fever, chills, headache, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and fatigue. In order to alleviate the impact of flu on campus, we strongly urge you to consider the following:

1. If you feel ill, stay isolated until your fever has been gone for 24 hours. Stay in your room and out of circulation until you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication). This is important for your recovery, as well as the health of others in our community. Drink plenty of fluids, eat small meals, and use Tylenol (not aspirin), throat lozenges, and decongestants to reduce symptoms.

2. Visit the University’s flu website at www.albany.edu/flu. The site provides flu-care advice. In the event your illness necessitates missing classes, a formal medical excuse is rarely necessary. Please review the University’s Medical Excuse Policy for more information.

3. Separate yourself from others. If you become ill, practice social distancing (remain at least six feet away from others). If you live with others, inform your roommate(s) that you have flu-like illness. For those on campus, “flu-care kits” – which include fluids, surgical masks, hand sanitizer and disposable thermometers – are available at Quad Information Centers. Additionally, resident students experiencing flu-like symptoms can ask friends to pick up meals at the resident dining facilities at no additional cost. Just have your friend ask for a meal at the check-in station.

4. Be vigilant about your own health. Take recommended precautions to prevent further spread of illness: wash your hands; cover coughs and sneezes; clean shared objects and surfaces; avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes; and keep your distance from people who are sick.

5. Contact the University Health Center. If you experience any of the following, you should contact the University Health Center:

• Fever of over 100°lasting for more than three days without improvement;
• Severe sore throat, accompanied by swollen glands in your neck;
• Change in level of consciousness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Persistent vomiting.