CSU Health Network Care for Body and Mind

The signs and symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include:

• Fever greater than 100ºF
• Cough  
• Sore throat, runny or stuffy nose  
• Body aches, headache, chills and fatigue
• Occasionally diarrhea and vomiting

Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in young children, pregnant women and people with underlying conditions.

Testing: While there is a test for Influenza, once the influenza virus is known to be widely circulating in a community most clinicians are basing their diagnoses on clinical symptoms.Students do not have to be tested if they think they have Influenza.
Treatment: Most cases are mild in healthy individuals and will not require any treatment except for managing the symptoms. People in high risk groups (see above) should seek medical attention from their health care provider.Those who are not in high risk groups do not need to seek medical attention unless they have severe illness.

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Worsening cough
• You are in a high risk group

- Printable care instructions -
Relief for symptoms of fever, congestion and coughing can be done with:
-over the counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, decongestants and throat lozenges. ; -fluids - rest
CSU Health Network will consider only people in high risk groups to receive anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu per recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider.
• Stay away from others as much as possible to avoid making them sick.  
• If you live in a residence hall, you can pick up at the main desk of your residence hall a flu fighter kit provided by the CSU Health Network that contains a medical facemask, tissues, hand sanitizer and a coupon for a free thermometer that can be picked up at CSU Health Network pharmacy. The flu fighter kit also contains some symptom relieving medications.  Sick trays are available from dining services.  Temporary rooms may be available to ill residents living on floors with community bathrooms.  Contact the front desk of your residence hall to arrange these.

Contact Residence Hall

• CSU students can access the Flu Self Reporting Web Page at www.ramweb.colostate.edu while you are ill to report your class absence.  Absences will not be excused after the fact.  When you are ready to return to class update your status on the site.
• Employees and students who are well but who have an ill family member/roommate at home with flu can go to work or classes as usual. They should monitor their health every day, and take everyday precautions including washing their hands often with soap and water, especially after they cough or sneeze.  If they develop a fever, they should isolate themselves and seek medical attention if they are considered high risk.
• For more information about the Flu, visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• If you are taking care of a sick person in your home, please read this: Guidance for Taking Care of a Sick Person
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.

• The flu shot for novel H1N1 flu is recommended for certain priority groups including children and young adults (up to age 24), pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions. It will be available around mid-October. Supplies may initially be limited.
• The H1N1 vaccine will require only 1 shot.
• The seasonal flu shot will not protect against novel H1N1; the H1N1 shots do not protect against seasonal flu.
• More information will be posted on this website when the flu shots are available.