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Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Frequently Asked Questions

Last update: September 15, 2009

Student Questions

I’m a student. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms or think I’ve been exposed to flu? updated 9/15/09

Students who were exposed to someone who has told them they have the flu or who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should maintain their distance from other individuals and call University Health Services at (609) 258-3141 for medical advice. It is especially important that students with pre-existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnant women, adults with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, or individuals with immunosuppression) immediately call UHS because they may be at serious risk for complications from flu.

Students with flu-like symptoms should immediately call 911 [or (609) 258-3333 if you are using a cell phone] if you also start to experience any of the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; or severe or persistent vomiting.

I’m a student diagnosed with flu or flu-like illness. What should I do? updated 9/15/09
Students diagnosed with flu or flu-like illness should take the following steps to take care of themselves and prevent the spread of illness to others.

Self- isolate

  • Students should self-isolate in their dorm room (i.e. stay away from others and eat meals in their room) until they are no longer contagious. Students who live within driving distance of the University may be asked to self-isolate at home.
  • The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

Notify

  • All undergraduate students should notify the Director of Student Life (DSL) in your residential college that you are beginning self-isolation and discuss whether you need assistance with residential/dining matters. DSLs are available to help ALL undergraduates living in or affiliated with a residential college.
  • Graduate students should notify community programs coordinator Olivia Martel at (609) 258-6686 or omartel@princeton.edu that you are beginning self-isolation and discuss whether you need assistance with residential/dining matters.
  • Inform any close contacts of your illness (i.e. roommates, friends or teammates). Someone you have had close contact with may be at serious risk for complications from flu.

Avoid contact

  • Avoid contact with others by eating meals in your room. Ill students will not be permitted in the dining halls and are discouraged from eating at off-campus clubs or other communal dining settings. Ask a friend to pick up meals from your dining hall, eating club, dining cooperative, etc., and leave the food outside your door. Contact your Director of Student Life if you need assistance with meal delivery.
  • Do not attend class, meetings, athletic practices, etc. Notify your professor if you will be absent from class due to flu or flu-like illness.
  • Discourage all visitors. If you have a roommate, try to stay at least 6 feet away from them and clean surfaces frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Wear a surgical mask if someone enters your room or you have to leave your room (i.e. to use the bathroom) in order to prevent the spread of germs. Contact your residential college office about obtaining a mask.

Take care of yourself

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of germs.
  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand gel.
  • Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids.
  • Follow the instructions in the University Health Services influenza self-care fact sheet.
  • Call 911 [or (609) 258-3333 if you are using a cell phone] if you also start to experience any of the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; or severe or persistent vomiting.

I’m a student with a pre-existing medical condition. What should I do about the flu?

Individuals with pre-existing medical conditions (i.e. pregnant women, adults with chronic medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes, or individuals with immunosuppression) may be at higher risk for complications from flu. Students with pre-existing conditions who develop flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone with flu should immediately call University Health Services at (609) 258-3141 for medical advice.

Students with pre-existing medical conditions living in University Housing may be temporarily relocated to another room if their roommate has flu or flu-like illness. University Housing has designated a handful of rooms where well students who demonstrate that they may be at higher risk for flu complications may be temporarily relocated if their roommate becomes sick with flu or flu-like illness. [For more details about requesting a room relocation, see the question below: My roommate has the flu. Can I change rooms?]

If you have a pre-existing medical condition that you have not previously disclosed to University Health Services, send a confidential e-mail to uhs@princeton.edu in order to be added to UHS’ list of students who may need special consideration in the event of an outbreak of a communicable disease on campus.

Will students with flu remain on campus?

The University is following guidance from federal and state health officials that students with flu or flu-like illness should stay away from others and self-isolate in their dorm rooms until they are no longer contagious. Students who live within driving distance of the University may be asked to self-isolate at home. The guideline is to remain isolated during illness and for at least 24 hours after the ill person's fever is gone, except to get medical care (fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine).

The University is not able to release the locations of individuals who are in self-isolation due to flu because this would be a violation of federal health privacy rules.

Will you identify individuals with flu so people know to avoid them?

Personal health information is private and the University is not able to release the identity of an individual receiving medical treatment; it would be a violation of federal health privacy rules. However, we understand the concerns of members of the University community, and we want you to know that University officials are in regular communication with the New Jersey local and state health departments about this public health issue. The University also is following the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for medical assessment and treatment of individuals with flu, as well as following the hygienic guidelines to minimize the potential of the virus spreading to other individuals on campus.

My roommate has the flu. Can I change rooms?
University Housing has designated a handful of rooms where well students who demonstrate that they may be at higher risk for flu complications may be temporarily relocated if their roommate becomes sick with flu or flu-like illness. This is being done in recognition of the fact that some individuals on our campus may have pre-existing medical conditions that causes them to be at higher risk for complications from flu. Requests to temporarily relocate will be evaluated by University health and housing administrators based on the individual student's demonstrated risk for flu complications.

To request a housing relocation due to a roommate with flu, all undergraduate students should contact the Director of Student Life in the residential college they live in or are affiliated with, and graduate students should contact Olivia Martel at (609) 258-6686 or omartel@princeton.edu. Students with pre-existing medical conditions who are temporarily relocated will be expected to return to their rooms after it is determined their roommate is no longer contagious.   

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Last update: 12-Oct-2009 12:19 PM
Web page comments or errors: Robin Izzo.