Ithaca College

Contributed on behalf of Dr. Erin Hall-Rhoades, Assistant Director of Hammond Health Center

We are seeing an increased number of students with influenza (flu) on campus.  Influenza is a very contagious illness and, once on campus, we can typically anticipate increasing numbers of people becoming ill.  We are seeing a resurgence of H1N1 (swine flu) as well as 2 other strains.

Common flu symptoms can include an abrupt onset of fever (often high), body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, tiredness (can be extreme), runny nose, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.  Most of the time this illness is self-limited, meaning it will go away on its own without medical treatment.  Many people feel quite ill at the beginning of the illness, especially with body aching and high fever.  Symptoms of flu can last up to two weeks but most of the time people are better in a week.

If you are someone with other medical illnesses, such as asthma, diabetes or other chronic conditions, we recommend an evaluation for flu symptoms within 24 hours of symptom onset  so that we can decide whether additional treatments are warranted.  Additionally, if you are someone without underlying medical conditions but have worsening of your symptoms please consider consulting the health center.

We strongly recommend flu vaccine for everyone on campus.  The only way to have immunity to H1N1 is through flu immunization.  It is not too late to receive a flu vaccine this year which appears to be working well against the strains of flu in our community.  While it can take 2 weeks to achieve full immunity, partial protection may be helpful in lessening the severity of illness should you be exposed.

If you are ill with flu we request that you try to stay home to avoid infecting others.  Do not return to class, work or sports until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of medications to reduce fever.  Self care measures are important to make you more comfortable during recovery from this illness:  Sleep, rest, monitor your temperature, drink plenty of fluids, eat as you are able, take Tylenol or ibuprofen for aching and fever.  Understand that antiviral medications (like Tamiflu) are recommended only for those at greater risk of complications or those seriously ill.  Antibiotics are not effective against viral illnesses like influenza.  If you would like to speak with someone from the health center we encourage you to call for advice:  274-3177 from 8am-11pm.

Steps for avoiding becoming ill can include avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing hands often, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth and receiving a flu vaccine.  If you wish to receive a vaccine please contact the Hammond Health Center at 274-3177.