• All people from six months through 24 years of age
  • Children from six months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
  • Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
    
    
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
  
  
• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
  
  
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than six months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
  
  
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity.

Learn how to prevent the spread of infection:

• Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective.
  
  
• Practice respiratory etiquette by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth; germs are spread this way. 
  
  
• Eat healthy and get plenty of rest. 
  
  
• Avoid close contact with those who may be ill.
  
  
• Know the signs and symptoms of the flu. A fever is a temperature taken with a thermometer that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius. Look for possible signs of fever: if the person feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.
  
  
• Talk with your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also, if you are at higher risk for flu complications from the H1N1 flu, you should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
  
  
• Stay home if you have flu or flu-like illness for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).  Don’t go to class or work. If you are a residential student try to self isolate yourself, notify your RA and the University’s Health Services Center.  Do not go to class, notify your FLU Buddy for assistance with food and medicine supplies.

Be prepared if you do get ill.

• PICK A FLU BUDDY– someone who can help you to get food, medicine, call family or your health care provider for you if you become ill.  If you’re a residential student, your flu buddy can obtain food for you with your ID or items from Health Services that you may need. 
  
  
• Emergency Contact Numbers – write out important numbers, including parents, friends, spouse, physician, pharmacy, etc.  This way you don’t have to look them up when you need them and your FLU Buddy will have access to them also.
  
  
• PREPARE A "FLU KIT" – the last thing you want to have to do when you are ill is to go to the store.  In a bag or small box, collect items you would need if you become ill, such as:
  • Box of tissue
  • Thermometer
  • Tylenol (Acetaminophen) for fever/body aches
  • Advil (Ibuprofen) for fever/body aches
  • Anti-diarrheal medication
  • Throat Lozenges
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Gatorade
  • Boxed Juices
  • Protein Bars
  • Granola or Nuts
  • Saltine Crackers

If you become ill, stay home and call your health care provider.  If you are a residential student call Health Services for an evaluation.  Most symptoms resolve in 24 to 48 hours.  If you develop symptoms of chest pain, chest pressure, rapid breathing or difficulty breathing notify your health care provider.