Helpful Information Regarding the Flu (Influenza)
NewsInfluenza activity is high throughout the country and JMU is no exception. Here are some tips you may find helpful:
- When flu activity is high, the diagnosis is made on a clinical basis. Medical providers make the diagnosis when a patient has signs and symptoms of the flu including:
- Fever
- Headache and body aches
- Fatigue
- Upper respiratory symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, cough)
- Occasionally nausea and vomiting
- Flu testing is unnecessary and not recommended when flu activity is high.
- In most people, influenza is a self-limited illness and is treated with rest, fluids, and medicine to treat symptoms (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
- Tamiflu, the antiviral medication, is not recommended for college-age, typically healthy patients. Those with chronic asthma, other underlying serious medical conditions, or on medicine that affects the immune system, should receive this medication.
- Seek medical evaluation if you have any serious medical conditions, have trouble breathing, persistent vomiting, confusion, dizziness, or fainting.
- TO PREVENT SPREADING INFLUENZA: Wash hands regularly and if you are sick, cover your cough and isolate yourself from others. You are most contagious when you have a fever so isolate yourself until the fever has been gone for 24 hours.
- Resources: https://www.jmu.edu/healthcenter/Forms/resource-sheets/Influenza1.pdf or: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm