September 2, 2009

Dear Residence Hall Students,

The information included in this message is intended to help residence hall students who may be feeling ill identify flu-like symptoms and take appropriate steps. This information can also be found on the Housing & Dining Services Web site at www.housing.colostate.edu/H1N1.htm.

What Are Flu-Like Symptoms?

The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with H1N1 flu virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.

Most usually healthy young adults will recover from influenza in about 5 to 7 days, without needing to see a doctor. However, it is time to call the doctor if: you become short of breath while resting or doing very little, you are coughing up bloody sputum, you are wheezing, you have had a fever above 101 for more than 3 days and you are not getting better or even getting worse, you have extreme pain in your ear, you have a chronic illness, such as diabetes, asthma, or immunosuppression.

Call the CSU Health Network (970 491-7121) or your doctor, or call 911 if your symptoms are urgent and life-threatening.

What Should I Do If I Have Flu-Like Symptoms?

If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. Until your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine for at least 24 hours you should: stay home, isolate yourself -- keep away from others as much as possible, avoid leaving your room, and don’t go to work or school.

Please also have a friend pick up a Flu Fighter Kit provided by the CSU Health Network, at your hall’s front desk. These kits contain: a medical facemask, thermometer, and symptom-relieving medicine.

If you need to leave your room while you are sick, please wear the medical facemask, and cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve. 

All students are encouraged to develop a plan with family members in case of illness. Students who have family within driving distance of campus are encouraged to go home if they become ill, rather than stay on campus.

It is also critical that you access the Flu Self Reporting Web Page at www.ramweb.colostate.edu (available beginning September 4th) while you are ill and missing classes to report your illness and establish an excused absence from classes. Absences will not be excused after the fact - you must complete this notification as soon as you become ill and go into isolation, and then update your status on the site when you feel better. 

Sick trays are available from Dining Services – phone the front desk, let them know that you are ill, then have a friend pick up the sick meal request form from the office, which they can use along with your CSUID to pick up your meal at the Dining Center. Recommended foods while you are ill include: clear soups, juices, Jello, and crackers.

Temporary rooms may be available to ill residents currently living on floors with community bathrooms. If you wish to move to room with a suite bathroom, please phone the front desk and communicate with your Office Manager to get more information on this option. If your roommate has become ill and is isolating in your room: notify your RA, Residence Director (RD) or Assistant Residence Director (ARD) if you have any concerns or need assistance, clean your living space, including door knobs and appliances, with a multipurpose cleaner or antibacterial wipes, talk to your Office Manager at the front desk if you wish to move into a temporary space while your roommate gets well, and they can let you know if space is available.

Tips for avoiding Illness: wash your hands often with soap, use antibacterial wipes or a multipurpose cleaner to frequently clean room surfaces, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, cough or sneeze into a tissue then throw it away immediately; if you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hand, and get a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine.

Familiarize yourself with the following websites for more information:

What to do if you are sick : http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm

Taking care of a sick person: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm

If you have additional questions, please contact Residence Life at (970) 491-4719.

Housing & Dining Services