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Information on Seasonal Flu and H1N1 "Swine” Flu

Checklist - Cold or Flu?

COMMON SYMPTOMS COLD FLU
Fatigue – Yes
Fever (over 100°) – Yes
Muscle Aches – Yes
Joint pain – Yes
Loss of appetite – Yes
Headache – Yes
Cough Yes Yes
Stuffy nose Yes Maybe
Diarrhea or Vomiting – Maybe

 

Basic Flu Facts

Seasonal flu

  1. Seasonal flu is a respiratory illness.
  2. It’s caused by a virus.
  3. It’s contagious, meaning people can catch it from each other.
  4. You can get the virus even if you’re not in direct contact with someone who has it.
  5. Seasonal flu usually comes in a yearly cycle, arriving in North America in fall or winter and gradually tapering off.
  6. The flu virus gradually mutates (evolves), so that a new type of flu is common each year.
  7. Each year, a vaccine is publicly available against the most common seasonal flu virus.
  8. Getting the vaccine can help you avoid getting the flu or reduce your symptoms.
  9. Most people have some immunity to the flu.
  10. "Flu" is short for "influenza" – both words mean the same thing.

 

How the flu spreads

  1. People who have the flu pass it on by unprotected coughing and sneezing.
  2. Droplets from the coughs and sneezes carry virus germs through the air.
  3. Those germs can land on doorknobs, faucets, stair rails and other surfaces.
  4. The next person who touches that surface can pick up the germs... and then touch his or her mouth... nose... eye...
  5. And give the flu virus a new home.

 

How the flu feels

Both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu have similar symptoms that usually come on suddenly and may include:

  • Fever (above 100°)
  • Sore throat or coughing
  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Fatigue
  • Possibly vomiting or diarrhea

 

New Flu Facts

H1N1 "swine" flu

  1. New H1N1 (or "swine flu") is a new type of flu virus that first appeared in 2009.
  2. You can’t get it from eating pork or ham or sausage or anything else. So go ahead and enjoy that bacon burger.
  3. It spreads the same way as seasonal flu – so you can take the same precautions.
  4. A specific vaccine for it should be publicly available in the coming months.
  5. People at greatest risk include children, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.

 

Don’t Fool with the Flu

How to lower the risk for yourself and others

  1. Wash your hands. Really often, like after every class.
  2. When you can’t wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
  3. Anytime you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth. Sleeves work great – your own, of course.
  4. Keep your hands away from your face. They may have picked up germs from surfaces you’ve touched.
  5. If someone is sick, or looks sick, or sounds sick, avoid close contact.
  6. If you feel sick, stay home from school, work, and other public contact. Stay away until your temperature is normal for 24 hours without taking aspirin, Tylenol, etc.
  7. Get the H1N1 vaccine when it’s available, if your doctor agrees that you should.

Who should see a doctor?

Most people can rest and recover from the flu at home. Call your doctor’s office:

  • If you are pregnant
  • If you have a chronic medical condition such as asthma, diabetes, or a disease of the heart, lung, liver, or kidney
  • If your symptoms become severe, or if they go away and then return

If you don’t have a doctor in the area, contact

  • Finger Lakes Medical Care Center, Auburn 315-258-7100
  • Urgent Medical Care, Skaneateles 315-685-9355
  • Oswego Health Urgent Care Center, Fulton 315-592-3500

 

Health insurance coverage

If you are a Cayuga employee, or a student with your own insurance coverage, bring your health insurance card if you go to a clinic or a doctor’s office.

If you are a full-time Cayuga student with student health insurance coverage, use the claim form. If you need a prescription, you will have to pay to pick it up, then send a claim for reimbursement. Keep all receipts. Please call the Health Services Office with any questions:

  • Auburn 315-255-1743 x 2203
  • Fulton 315-592-5055 x 3008

 

More Flu Clues

Check these government websites for more information on the flu: