Influenza Information and Prevention
In recent weeks, you've probably heard about the spread of the swine flu illness. Cases of the disease (officially called the H1N1 virus) have recently been confirmed in Wisconsin. As in all situations of this nature, the UW Colleges works closely in conjunction with local and state health officials to receive information and react to a developing situation.
What college students should
know about swine flu
Key actions to reduce transmission
of respiratory viruses.
Stop the spread of germs that
make you and others sick!
Public agencies have been actively preparing for the potential of a pandemic for a number of years, and there are plans and procedures in place to ensure an effective response, particularly if the situation changes over time.
If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home and contact your physician. Symptoms include:
- fever greater than 100 degrees
- body aches
- coughing
- sore throat
- respiratory congestion
- and in some cases, diarrhea and vomiting
Also, influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people. There are many things you can do to prevent getting and spreading influenza:
- 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Related Links
- H1N1 Vaccination Clinics - For UWFOX students, employees and their families only
- Wisconsin's Pandemic Flu Resource for the most up-to-date information in Wisconsin
- Centers for Disease Control swine flu information
- Centers for Disease Control travel warning discouraging all non-essential travel to Mexico
- Swine flu FAQ from World Health Organization
- Pandemic Flu - U.S. government site for pandemic flu information
- Wisconsin Public Radio and Television stories on Swine Flu Influenza
Questions?
Contact Student Services at 920.832.2620 or email at foxinfo@uwc.edu.
Posted 5/1/2009