What to do if you think you may have the Flu (Seasonal or H1N1):

H1N1 symptoms are similar to seasonal flu and include: fever > 100º F (or signs of a fever, i.e. chills, very warm feeling, appearing flushed or sweating) AND cough, sore throat, or runny nose. Headache, chills, and body aches, occasional vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

Most people with H1N1 flu do not need to seek medical care and can use common self-care measures.

However, if you have severe symptoms or other conditions that increase your risk for flu complications (moderate-severe asthma, chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, a weakened immune system as a result of HIV/AIDS or taking immunosupressant medications) or you are just unsure whether you need to seek medical attention - call the Dowell Health Center at 410-704-2466.

If you develop flu-like symptoms (Fever ≥ 100ºF AND cough, sore throat or runny nose/congestion):

Please stay at home (do not go to work, class or travel on public transportation) for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (temp <100ºF or 38ºC) or signs of a fever. This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
At home, wear a surgical mask to protect others you live with or stay at least 6 feet away from them.
You should only leave home only if you require medical care and, when you go out, you should wear a surgical mask or cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue. If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow or shoulder, not your hands.
Notify your supervisor or professors you are ill with the flu. Faculty have been made aware of the necessity of isolation for individuals with H1N1 flu and medical absences will be excused.

Students living on campus who develop flu: You will be advised to return to your permanent home while you remain out of classes. if you can do so by private transportation. If you do, please contact your Community Center Desk to let them know you are leaving.. If you cannot go home, please stay in your room and contact your Residence Hall Community Center Desk for further instructions. Surgical masks and disposable thermometers are available at your Residence Community Center Desk.

In order to avoid overwhelming the Dowell Health Center with patients at a time when they need to focus on assisting severely ill students, we ask that individuals avoid going to the Health Center to seek a medical excuse for a short-term illness. Faculty have been made aware that patients with H1N1 flu need to be isolation.

If you develop the following symptoms, please seek urgent medical care:

· Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (e.g. asthmatics whose symptoms are not controlled by their rescue inhalers)

· Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

· Sudden dizziness or confusion

· Severe or persistent vomiting

· Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Individuals who are "at risk" for serious health consequences from H1N1 flu virus (or seasonal flu) should consult their Health Care Providers if Experiencing Flu-like Illness and should strongly consider getting Flu shots (both for seasonal and H1N1 flu when it becomes available:

Pregnant women
People with chronic lung, heart, liver, blood, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders like diabetes
Adults and children who are immunosuppressed (whether caused by medications or by HIV)
Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection.

Dowell Health Center Hours: Mon-Fri., 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone: 410-704-2466 for appointments or after-hours Nurse Advice Line