University of Maine Farmington Flu Facts

H1N1 Virus Information

General Information

General Hygiene Measures

Other Resources

Guides, Checklists & Info Sheets

115 South Street
Farmington, ME 04938
Phone: (207) 778-7034
FAX: (207) 778-7069
TDD: (207) 778-7000
e-Mail: fluinfo@umf.maine.edu

Students - What to do if you get sick:

Regardless of the type of illness you have, it is important to take care of yourself...and other people. Flu symptoms are a cough, body aches, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose AND have a fever of 100 degrees F (37.8 C) or greater.

If you suspect you may have a flu-like illness, take your temperature and make a list of your symptoms to report to the Student Health Center at 778-7200. We will determine what you may need for medical care and if you need to be isolated from the rest of campus. After hours, on campus students should call their Area Directors and off campus students should call Security at 778-7400. The ADs/Security will make contact with the on call medical personnel if necessary.

Stay home and rest up!

Students living on campus who can not go home will be taken to isolation rooms until they can go home or are better. Please contact your resident area director.

Limit the spread of the flu virus by:

Using good hygiene, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, etc. Keep your distance (at least 6 feet) from others. Stay out of classes, work, social events, public transportation, etc. until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. (Fever should be absent without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) A cough may linger, but is not considered reason to stay out of circulation. Wear a facemask to prevent the spread of illness if exposure to others is necessary. Wear a facemask if you need to leave your room to use the bathroom or come to the Health Center.

Self Care:

Monitor and record your temperature. Fever can be dehydrating, so push fluids!
Stay hydrated with plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, herbal tea, etc.) Try to take in adequate nutrition to support your immune system.
Treat symptoms with acetaminophen/Tylenol or ibuprofen for aches and pains, cough medicine, throat lozenges and decongestants as needed. You should continue to take your usual prescription medications. Treatment with antiviral medications is recommended only for those at high risk of severe complications and those seriously ill. Treatment with antibiotics is not effective since the flu is caused by a virus.

Medical Self-Care Supplies
We recommend all students have the following supplies:

Thermometer
Tissues
Hand sanitizer
Tylenol or Ibuprofen for body aches and fever
Gatorade or other favorite clear liquids.

We will provide masks and gloves and sanitizing wipes for students to use if they have to go out of their rooms (e.g. to use the bathrooms).

Generally, people can manage recovery at home with little or no medical attention. However, certain people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications, and should consult with their health care providers with the onset of flu-like symptoms. These groups include:

pregnant women
people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions:
§ heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
§ asthma
§ diabetes
§ immune-suppression

Call the Student Health Center at 778-7200 or your health care provider for consultation if your symptoms worsen. Warning signs that you may be developing flu complications are:

Significant increase in difficulty breathing
Significant worsening of fatigue
Increase pain or pressure in your chest
Your urine is very dark because of not drinking enough fluids
Vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
Confusion
Symptoms had improved then return with fever and worse cough

Individuals you have close contact with (e.g., roommate, family member) should monitor their personal health and be aware of any symptoms. Follow these self-care guidelines or seek medical consultation by phone if you develop a cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose AND have a fever of greater than 100 degrees F (37.8 C).