Keep You and WLU Healthy!

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Flu Information: flu.gov**

WLU Flu Prevention: In partnership with the Ohio County Health Department, West Liberty University is making every effort to help our campus prevent the outbreak of flu.  Taking every precaution is very important.  According to the CDC, 53% of all H1N1 (Swine Flu) hospitalizations are people under the age of 25.  Please read below for instructions on flu prevention and what to do if you think you have the flu.

What to Do If You Think You Have the Flu – Action Steps:

• IF: You have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating without physical activity);
• THEN: Stay at home or in your residence hall until at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever.  This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
• AND THEN: Please notify your instructors as soon as possible by phone or email regarding class absences. Please note that documentation of your illness will commonly be required and that many professors will allow for absences associated with illness.

If you feel ill, to prevent spreading the flu…
Don’t come in to the Health Service…call/email first!:

The West Liberty University Health Service
Christy Bennington, RN, BSN, Health Services Nurse
Phone: (304) 336-8049  email: cbennington@westliberty.edu

Things You Can Do to Prevent the Flu:

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.  When a tissue is not available, cover coughs or sneezes using your elbow or shoulder instead of your hands.
• Wash hands frequently: Wash hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer where available.
• Keep it clean: Students are encouraged to keep their living space as clean as possible, particularly if they have roommates.  Everyone needs to make an extra effort to clean commonly-used surfaces such as doorknobs, refrigerator handles, remote controls, counter tops, and any equipment that has multiple users.
• Do not touch your, eyes, nose mouth with yours hands.
• Get the regular flu shot as well as the H1N1 shot when it becomes available.
• Prepare your own “Flu Kit” containing a thermometer, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, surgical mask, and fever reducing medication.
• More online at flu.gov**: Extensive information regarding the flu and its prevention is available online at flu.gov**

Emergency Warning Signs

• Difficulty breathing
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but return with a fever and worse cough
• If you see these signs, seek medical attention.

Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control (H1N1 Page) **
WV DHHR**
Ohio Co. Health Department**
Local H1N1 News**

**Link will redirect to an external website