Cypress College Pandemic/Influenza Resources
In response to the predicted strong reoccurrence of the H1N1 (swine) flu virus this fall, the Health Center is advising students to wash hands and cover their coughs in an effort to slow the spread of disease. If a student presents themselves to the Health Center with flu-like symptoms, they will be sent home and asked to isolate themselves at home until 24 hours after fever has abated without the use of fever reducing medications.
The following resources are presented by the Health Center:
Pandemic/Influenza
Do You Know the Difference Between Cold and Flu Symptoms?
Check out the Symptoms at a Glance chart below.
|
Symptom
|
Cold
|
Flu
|
|
Fever
|
Fever is rare with a cold.
|
Fever is usually present
with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher
for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
|
|
Coughing
|
A hacking, productive
(mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
|
A non-productive (non-mucus
producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as
dry cough).
|
|
Aches
|
Slight body aches and pains
can be part of a cold.
|
Severe aches and pains are
common with the flu.
|
|
Stuffy Nose
|
Stuffy nose is commonly
present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
|
Stuffy nose is not commonly
present with the flu.
|
|
Chills
|
Chills are uncommon with a
cold.
|
Chills are fairly common in
most flu cases. 60% of flu cases include chills. Chills and shivering are a
normal reaction to a cold environment, but unexplained chills can also be a
sign of the flu.
|
|
Tiredness
|
Tiredness is fairly mild
with a cold.
|
Tiredness is moderate to
severe with the flu.
|
|
Sneezing
|
Sneezing is commonly
present with a cold.
|
Sneezing is not common with
the flu.
|
|
Sudden Symptoms
|
Cold symptoms tend to
develop over a few days.
|
The flu has a rapid onset
within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high
fever, aches and pains.
|
|
Headache
|
A headache is fairly
uncommon with a cold.
|
A headache is very common
with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
|
|
Sore Throat
|
Sore throat is commonly
present with a cold.
|
Sore throat is not commonly
present with the flu.
|
|
Chest Discomfort
|
Chest discomfort is mild to
moderate with a cold.
|
Chest discomfort is often
severe with the flu.
|
Interim Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education and Post-secondary Educational Institutions in Response to Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
Recommended responses to influenza for the 2009 - 2010 academic year
Promote self-isolation at home by students, faculty, and staff with flu-like illness
* If possible, persons with Influenza-Like-Illness (ILI) who wish to seek medical care should contact their health care provider or campus health services to report illness by telephone or other remote means before seeking care. Institutions should assure that all students, faculty and staff receive messages about what they should do if they become ill with ILI, including reporting ILI to health services.
* Those with flu-like illness should stay away from classes and limit interactions with other people (called "self-isolation"), except to seek medical care, for at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines. They should stay away from others during this time period even if they are taking antiviral drugs for treatment of the flu.
* Encourage hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette of both people who are well and those that have any symptoms of flu: Emphasize the importance of the basic foundations of flu prevention: stay home when sick, wash hands frequently with soap and water when possible, and cover noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or a shirt sleeve or elbow if no tissue is available).
North Orange County Community College District
Cypress College Health Center
Fullerton College
School of Continuing Education
1. Avoid close contact with others who are ill.
2. Stay home when you are ill.
3. Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
5. Wash your hands before preparing food.
6. Wash your hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom.
7. Use an alcohol based gel hand sanitizer between hand washing.*
8. Maintain a good diet, be physically active, and get plenty of sleep.
*SMALL BOTTLES OF HAND SANITIZER ARE AVAILABLE IN THE HEALTH CENTER
For more information regarding H1N1 Virus, please visit MyGateway through the District or campus websites: www.nocccd.edu; www.cypresscollege.edu; www.fullcoll.edu; www.sce.edu