Health Services

Health Services provides confidential and holistic primary health care to enhance the academic potential of our students. Each student encounter is an opportunity to educate about prevention and risk reduction to promote life-long healthy choices.

H1N1 Flu

Latest Update (10/13/09) on RIC Homepage "H1N1 flu information"

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

Stay informed.

These websites will be updated regularly as information becomes available:

Rhode Island Department of Health: http://www.health.ri.gov/

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.

• Cough into your arm or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective. Carry a supply with you when you leave home.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth and don’t share cups, drinks or cigarettes. Germs spread that way.
• Get plenty of rest. Avoid excessive alcohol. Keep stress levels under control.
• If you have flu-like symptoms, stay home or away from others until you are free of fever for 24 hours. Social distancing (staying 3 to 6 feet away from others) helps to reduce spread of virus.
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• Check your RIC e-mail regularly for important announcements. You will be notified when the H1N1 vaccine is available on campus. Health Services still has some seasonal flu vaccine for students who were unable to attend the September clinic. Cost is $15.
  

Symptoms for the current strain of H1N1 flu being reported include:

Sudden fever with:

• Muscle aches
• Headaches
• Sore throat
• Dry cough

Those who have contracted this strain of flu also experience more vomiting and diarrhea than is usual with seasonal influenza.

What to do if you have the flu.

• Rest in bed; stay home and avoid public activities until you have no fever for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducers such as Tylenol or ibuprofen (symptoms usually resolve in 5 – 7 days).
• Drink lots of fluids
• Take non-aspirin pain and fever relievers such acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) for fever and bodyaches. Never give aspirin to children or teens with flu symptoms as they can develop a serious disease called Reye Syndrome
• If you are at high risk for complications from the flu you should consult your health care provider when your flu symptoms begin. Certain antiviral drugs may be recommended to treat the flu.

Who should seek medical attention?

Mild cases of influenza-like illness are encouraged to stay at home with the exception of young children, pregnant women and immune suppressed. Warning signs that can signal the need for urgent medical care include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain and severe or persistent vomiting. In adults, a high fever that lasts more than three (3) days is a sign of concern, particularly when accompanied by a general worsening of the ill person’s condition. In a child, lethargy or difficulty waking up is a warning sign.

Keep things in perspective.

So far, most cases in the U.S. have not been severe and antiviral drugs are generally effective in treating this strain of influenza. Limit the amount of time you spend listening to or watching media coverage which may provoke unnecessary worry. Focus on simple, routine tasks and keep busy. Stay connected to family and friends. If you feel overwhelmed, talk with someone about your feelings.

Students residing on campus or using Health Services as their primary care provider should call 456-8055 for advice or an appointment if they experience a fever with flu-like symptoms. Please be aware that call volumes may be higher than usual.

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