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The Student Health Service has begun to see large numbers of students with influenza “the flu”.

Student Health Service would like to provide information for parents regarding steps their sons and daughters can take to stay healthy and what to do if they become ill.

The “flu” (Influenza) is a viral infection that causes rapid onset of the following symptoms:

Fever

Cough

Runny and/or stuffy nose

Sore throat, swollen glands

Fatigue

Headache

Body aches

Unlike a cold, many people with the flu will have a fever (temperature > 100), body aches and their symptoms will be more severe. Symptoms typically last 3-7 days. Most healthy college students are able to recover from the flu with rest and some self-care treatments and do not need to see a healthcare provider.

What is the university doing to address the flu?

Student Health Service has collaborated with Residence Life and Housing, Dining Facilities and the Office of Academic Advising to provide resources and information to help reduce the spread of infection and to support students who become ill with the flu. Some of the steps include:

  • Professors have been notified about this outbreak and have been asked to encourage students to not come to class if they are ill or suspect they have the flu.
    • Professors have been encouraged to take students “at their word” and not require documentation of the flu from a medical provider.
  • Residence Life and Housing have been provided with “Flu Kits” to distribute to students in residence halls who develop symptoms of the flu. Kits include face masks, hand sanitizer, information on how to communicate with faculty, information about the flu (self-care tips and information about symptoms that should prompt evaluation by a medical provider) as well as “meal tickets”.
    • Additional cleaning solutions are also available for students to use to clean surfaces in their room.
  • Dining facilities has provided “meal tickets” that allow students who are ill to have a friend or RA obtain a meal from the on campus dining halls “to go” using the sick student’s meal plan.
  • Student Health Service has sent an email to all students encouraging flu shots and providing them with detailed information on how to prevent infection and steps to take if they become ill.

What can I do to help my student from becoming ill?

  • The most effective prevention against the flu is to receive the flu shot. There has been information in the news which has called into question the utility of getting a flu shot this season as the vaccine has been reported to have “reduced effectiveness”.
    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging individuals to receive the vaccine as it can still reduce the risk of infection and is a safe vaccine.
    • It takes 2 weeks for the vaccine to become effective, and therefore it is crucial to get vaccinated as soon as possible
    • The flu shot cannot cause the flu. It is a “killed virus” and cannot cause infection.
    • Flu shots are available in Student Health Service Monday- Friday 9 Am- 4 PM without an appointment. The fee for the flu shot is $30. Local pharmacies can also administer the flu shot.
  • In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, the following tips can help prevent spreading the flu:
    • Washing hands often with soap and water or use of alcohol based hand sanitizers.
    • Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Getting adequate sleep and proper nutrition.

What should I advise my son/daughter is they become ill?

  • Students who have typical symptoms of the flu should not leave their room except to receive medical care or use the restroom. They should continue to avoid public places until they have been without a fever for 24 hours.
  • Students should communicate with their professors by email to let them know they are ill so they are aware of their absence, and work with them on making up any missed assignments.
  • Ask their RA for a “flu kit”
  • Read the information about the flu on the Student Health Service website (shs.wfu.edu) which provides detailed information about symptoms, when to seek medical care and medications which can be used to alleviate symptoms.
  • Students who have chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, immune system issues etc) which increase the risk of complications of the flu should be seen by a medical provider.
  • The Student Health Service is open for full clinic hours weekdays from 8:30 AM-5 PM and staffed with a registered nurse 5 PM- 8:30 AM and on weekends.
    • Appointments can be made on the patient portal or by calling 336-758-5218.
    • Students who do not see an available appointment should call, as we will see all students who require medical attention.

My son/daughter was seen in the Student Health Service and did not have a flu test, don’t they need it?

  • Rapid flu tests are available and have some use in helping medical providers determine the cause of a patient’s illness.
  • Unfortunately, the ability of these tests to detect the flu is not 100%. A test can be “negative” even in patients who have the flu (this situation is called a false negative test result.)
  • The CDC is recommending that health care providers not rely on flu test results to treat patients who are ill with typical flu like illness. Therefore, in most cases a flu test is not necessary or recommended. For more information from the CDC:
  • http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/testing.htm#have-flu

My son/daughter was seen in Student Health Service and diagnosed with the flu, but was not given the anti-viral medication, Tamiflu. Don’t they need it to get better?

Most healthy college students are able to recover from the flu with rest and some self-care treatments and do not need to see a healthcare provider. Additionally, most college students do not need anti-viral medicines (such as Tamiflu).

The CDC has the following recommendations for the use of antiviral medications for influenza:

 “People at high risk of serious flu complications (such as children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years of age and older, pregnant women, people with certain long-term medical conditions, and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities) and people who are very sick with flu (such as those hospitalized because of flu) should get antiviral drugs.”

 If your student is in a high risk category, please urge him/her to contact the Student Health Service if flu symptoms develop.  https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2017-2018.htm

“But I heard that patients get better faster if they take antiviral medications for the flu.”

  • In otherwise healthy individuals, it only shortens the length of illness on average by 18 hours.
  • To be effective, Tamiflu needs to started within 48 hours of becoming ill. If taken later than this, the medication is no more effective than not taking medication.
  • Side effects of Tamiflu can be significant and include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, headache and some behavioral side effects. These are uncommon (about 2-15% of people will experience these side effects).
  • Your son or daughter’s medical provider will discuss the benefit vs risk of this medication as part of their visit
  • Information about Tamiflu can be found on this CDC website.

 

Detailed information about campus resources and FAQs can be found on the Student Health Service website

Additional general information about the flu can be found from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm

 

 

Contact

To contact the Office of Family Engagement or Family Communications, please visit our contact page.

 

For mental health assistance: 336-758-CARE (2273) is a service that ensures someone will always be available (i.e., 24/7 M-F, weekends and university holidays) to provide caring and thoughtful consultation services for Wake Forest students in need of mental health assistance or support. You can also visit we.wfu.edu for resources.