Symptoms of flu include fever or chills AND cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headaches, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
A fever is a temperature (by thermometer) that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. You may have a fever if you feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or you are sweating or shivering.
If you feel any of these symptoms, you will need to take the following actions:
- Plan to self-isolate (stay away from others) in your residence hall room or apartment for at least 24 hours after your fever has passed WITHOUT the use of fever-reducing medicine. Do not go to work or school or ride public transportation while ill. The only exception to this would be for medical care or other necessities.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you sneeze or cough. Immediately throw away used tissue, and immediately clean hands after each sneeze or cough.
- Get plenty of rest. Drink clear fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe persistent vomiting
- Flu-like symptoms improve then return with fever and worse cough
If your roommate is ill with flu-like symptoms, you can still go about your daily business as usual. However, you need to monitor your health daily and take common sense precautions including washing hands often with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand cleaners. Limit contact with the sick roommate and try to maintain a distance of 6 feet from him/her. If close contact cannot be avoided, your sick roommate should wear a surgical mask (if tolerable) when he/she is around you and other people. Frequently clean commonly-touched surfaces.
No. At this time, Illinois is on a Level 2 alert. This is on a scale of 5, with 5 being the most severe level. Quarantining sick individuals is not a recommended response in a Level 2 outbreak. On-campus and off-campus residents are encouraged to self-isolate in their rooms or apartments if they are experiencing flu-like illness.
See Question 2:
"What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?".
Columbia College Chicago does not require ill students to leave campus if they develop flu-like illnesses. However, many students may find it more comfortable to return home for that time period to continue their recovery. Whenever possible, students wishing to return home to recover should travel by private vehicle rather than public transportation.
Columbia College Chicago cleans Public areas are daily M-F and as needed on the weekends. However, bathrooms in residence hall apartments and suites are maintained and cleaned by residents, and should be done on a weekly basis. Students are required to keep their living areas and bathrooms clean on an ongoing basis by regularly wiping them down with household disinfectants.
Chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for a sufficient length of time.
Other recommendations:
| Lysol Disinfectant Foam Bathroom Cleaner |
Ultra Mr. Clean |
| Lysol Disinfectant Multi-Purpose Cleaner |
Windex Antibacterial Glass & Surface Cleaner |
| Lysol Pre-Moistened Disinfecting Cleaning Wipes |
Tough Act: The Heavy Duty Bathroom Cleaner |
| Lysol Foaming Disinfectant Basin Tub & Tile Cleaner II |
Clorox |
| Lysol Disinfectant Trigger Spray |
Fresh Scent Clorox |
| Lysol Disinfectant Basin, Tub, & Tile Cleaner Pre-Moistened Wipe |
Pine-Sol Household Cleaner Disinfectant |
| Pine-Sol Spray |
Ultra Clorox Bleach |
| Lysol Disinfectant Bleach Plus |
Lysol Hard Water Stain Cleaner |
| Comet Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner |
Mr. Clean Multi-Surfaces Antibacterial |
Vaccines will be available this year to protect against seasonal flu. Children 6 months through 18 years of age, people of any age with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes), and everyone age 50 & older should be vaccinated against seasonal flu as early as possible.
The 2009 flu vaccine for Influenza Like Illness should be available in the fall of 2009. Certain groups at higher risk for complications from this flu are recommended to get the 2009 flu vaccine for Influenza Like Illness when it first becomes available.
These groups include:
- pregnant women
- people who live with and care for children younger than 6 months of age
- healthcare and emergency services personnel
- people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years (which includes most college students)
- people ages 25 - 64 years of age who chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems
