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Flu Prevention & FAQs

Flu Prevention

As you know, prevention is the key to fighting the flu. At Post University, we are working closely with the Connecticut health department to monitor seasonal flu conditions and make decisions about the best ways to protect our campus from a flu outbreak. To make this work, we need your help!

If this year’s flu season becomes more severe, we may take the following additional steps to prevent the spread of the virus:
  • Allow students, faculty, and staff at higher risk for complications to stay home. These students, faculty, and staff should make this decision in consultation with their health care provider, and then notify the school of their plans. We will have systems in place to ensure that classes continue as scheduled, and work is accessible from off-campus locations via the Internet, as required
  • Increase social distances (the space between people) in classrooms and offices such as moving desks farther apart, leaving empty seats between students, holding outdoor classes, and using distance learning methods
  • Provide hand sanitizing gel in all public facilities
  • Extend the time sick students, faculty, or staff stay home or in their residence hall. During severe flu conditions, sick people should stay home for at least 7 days, even if they feel better sooner. Those who are still sick after 7 days should continue to stay home until at least 24 hours after symptoms have gone away
  • Close Campus.  This decision will be made together with University officials and the Board of Trustees. All main campus courses will continue and move to an online environment until campus re-opens. The length of time classes may be online will depend on the severity and extent of illness. Although we do not expect to have to take this step, we do have a plan in place in case it’s necessary
Here are a few things you can do to help prevent the spread of flu:
  • Practice good hand hygiene by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, before eating, or after using a public computer or phone. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  • Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way.
  • Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills  cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting. A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Possible signs that a person may have a fever also may include: feeling very warm, a flushed appearance, or sweating or shivering.
  • Stay Home If You Have Flu Symptoms: Please don’t come to work or class if you have symptoms of the flu as it is easily spread from person to person.
  • Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. If you are at higher risk for flu complications from the flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for the flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.
Our treatment and response plan to ensure health and safety among our community is outlined below:
  • Resident and Commuter students who have flu – like symptoms should call their parent or guardian and arrange to go home immediately. Students are expected to notify their professors and make arrangements for missed schoolwork. Students who are ill should remain at home for at least 24 hours after they are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine)
  • Resident students who cannot go home, should self isolate in their room and avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after they are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine). This is to keep from making others sick. There will be a dining delivery service for these students during the time that they are self isolated
  • Ill faculty and staff who live on or off campus are asked to self isolate and remain at home for at least 24 hours after they are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine)

 

Any necessary communication regarding the flu will be made through our Post Website. Any emergency communication will be made through our Post Emergency E-Lert System. We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.

For the most up to-date information on the flu, visit www.flu.gov or call
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636).

FLU FAQs

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?

There is no vaccine available to protect against the flu virus. However, vaccine is in production and may be ready for the public this fall.

You should take these everyday steps to prevent the spread of germs and to protect your health:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15- 20 seconds, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol- based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people remain a distance of at least six feet from a person who is sick.
How do I know if I have the flu virus?

The symptoms of the flu are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the flu. The seasonal flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

 

Will I be able to stay on campus if I develop flu – like symptoms?

Students who live on campus who think they may have the flu should call their parent or guardian and arrange to go home immediately. Students are expected to notify their professors and make arrangements for missed schoolwork. Students who are ill should remain at home for at least 24 hours after they are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine).

 

What if I cannot go home because I live far away?

Resident students who cannot go home, should self isolate in their room and avoid contact with others for at least 24 hours after they are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine). This is to keep from making others sick. There will be a dining delivery service for these students during the time that they are self isolated.

 

 

 

 

What should I do if I am sick?

Call the nurse at 203.596.4503, visit the health office during office hours, or seek other medical attention.

 

When can I return to class?

If you have demonstrated a flu-like illness, you can return to class 24 hours after you are fever free (without the use of a fever–reducing medicine).

 

How will my class attendance, work, or participation in campus activities be affected if I develop flu-like symptoms?

Students are not to attend class, work, or other campus activities. Students are expected to notify their professors and make arrangements for missed schoolwork. Ill students are encouraged to follow the course, get notes, and continue reading.

 

How will Post communicate with me?

Updates about the flu virus will be posted on the Post University website.