Flu Information for the KU Campus Community

This page was last updated: December 4, 2009 9:58 AM

Student Resources

Student H1N1 Immunization Clinics (MORE IMMUNIZATIONS SCHEDULED!)

What you need to know about protecting yourself from the flu, or what to do if you become ill.

What are Flu-like symptoms?

  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Fever with cough
  • Headache
  • Aching muscles and joints
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weakness
  • Sore throat and runny nose
  • Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting

Flu avoidance tips:

  • Wash hands often with soap and warm water (20-30 seconds a wash).
  • Clean room surfaces often using antibacterial wipes.
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hand.
  • Get a seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine once available.

If you have flu-like symptoms:

  • Contact the campus health center at once.  Call 610-683-4646 and speak to a healthcare professional.
  • In compliance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Pennsylvania Department of Health recommendations, KU will strongly encourage those with influenza-like-illness (ILI) to follow CDC self-isolation guidelines.  The CDC recommends isolation until at least 24 hours after fever has resolved (without the use of fever-reducing medications). 
  • If a healthcare or medical professional recommends that you isolate yourself for flu-like symptoms:
    • Students should not attend class or any public gatherings while ill. 
    • Return to your family home for isolation.  Do not risk the health of your roommate, residence hall community or housemates.
    • If you are an on-campus resident student, tell your CA or Hall Coordinator.
    • Tell your roommate/housemates.
    • If you are unable to return home and are isolating yourself in your residence hall room, wear some type of mask in shared spaces, such as bathrooms, or interacting with others.
    • Contact your professors if you will miss class.  Call or e-mail your professor, do not visit him or her in person.
    • The health center will not be providing doctors’ notes to give to faculty.

If your roommate/housemate has been asked to isolate:

  • Clean your space, including door knobs, with a multipurpose cleaner, such as Formula 409.  If you have not brought such products with you, please make arrangements to purchase them or have family members bring them to you.
  • If your roommate has left to isolate at home or is isolating in the room please be aware that there are no spaces available to relocate in the halls.  Please do not assume that you do not also have the flu and stay with friends.  You do not want to risk the health of others.

On-campus students: To request meal delivery due to self-isolation in your room:

  • If you are isolated due to flu-like symptoms, and have a meal plan, you can request to have a meal picked up from the dining hall by a Flu Buddy.
  • Give your student ID to your Flu Buddy.  They will go to the hall’s front desk to pick up a Flu Meal Pass.  They then go to the C Zone to collect three pre-set meals based on medical advice.

If you are unsure of your health please contact the health center:

  • Monday - Friday:
    • 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Call 610-683-4646 (Health and Wellness Center)
    • 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. Call 610-683-4001 (Public Safety and Police Services)
  • Saturday - Sunday:
    • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Call 610-683-4646 (Health and Wellness Center)
    • 6 p.m. - 10 a.m. Call 610-683-4001 (Public Safety and Police Services)