Stop the spread of flu

Jan. 21, 2015

The University Health Center is seeing increasing levels of influenza at JMU.

Influenza, commonly called the flu, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus that is self-limited and does not improve with antibiotics. It begins quite suddenly with multiple symptoms, especially cough and fever, and possible sore throat, runny nose, headache, muscle aches and difficulty breathing. The severe symptoms usually last 2-3 days and expect complete resolution in about 7 days.  (This is not related to a usual vomiting and diarrhea illness.)

If you have flu-like symptoms ... or get flu-like symptoms

• Stay at home or in your dorm and rest ... Do not attend class or visit dining facilities
• Do not go out until your fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication
• Call the JMU Health Center at 540-568-6178 and speak to a nurse before coming in
• Avoid close contact with well people so you won’t make them sick
• Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration)
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing
• Call 540-568-7985 to request a meal and arrange for someone to pick it up for you (if you have a meal plan)
• Treat fever and cough with medicines you can buy at the store
  • For fever, headache, body aches
    • Acetaminophen 650 to 1000 mg every 4 to 5 hours as needed - Tylenol
    • Ibuprofen 400 to 600 (2 to 3 tablets) every 6 hours as needed - Advil/Motrin
  • For nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
    • Pseudoephedrine products (behind the counter) - Sudafed
    • Phenylephrine products (over the counter) - Sudafed PE
    • Oxymetazole 12 hour nose spray (3 days max) - Afrin
    • Nasal sprays (saline) as directed on label
  • For cough (many products, but nearly all have these two ingredients)
    • Guiafenesin (loosen mucus) - Robitussin
    • Dextromethorphan (suppress cough) - DM
  • For sore throat
    • Gargle warm water frequently
    • Lozenges, strips, sprays as directed on label
  •  

If you are not sick

• Wash your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
• Get plenty of sleep
• Be physically active
• Manage your stress
• Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids
• Eat nutritious food