Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Frequently Asked Questions

Last update: February 5, 2010

Student Questions

• I’m a student. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms or think I’ve been exposed to flu?
• I’m a student diagnosed with flu or flu-like illness. What should I do?
• I’m a student with a pre-existing medical condition. What should I do about the flu?
• Will students with flu remain on campus?
• My roommate has the flu. Can I change rooms?
• Other FAQs (Health, Faculty, Employee, Travel, University Response and Resources)

I’m a student. What should I do if I develop flu-like symptoms or think I’ve been exposed to flu? **UPDATED 2/5/10**

Students experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever with cough and/or sore throat) should be examined at University Health Services. Students should come to the McCosh Health Center or make a same-day appointment for examination by calling (609) 258-3141. An in-person evaluation will help UHS staff better determine if there is another cause of the students' symptoms, such as pneumonia, that may require different treatment than flu.

In light of a sharp decline in the number of cases of flu-like illness on campus and nationally, UHS has temporarily suspended the directive that students must call UHS for evaluation rather than come to McCosh Health Center. If there is another wave of influenza on campus, the directive for students with flu-like symptoms to be evaluated at McCosh Health Center rather than by phone will be re-examined in order to provide the best public health response for the University community.

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 2/5/10**

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.

• Stay in your room or at home during illness and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone. 
• Avoid contact and stay away from others as much as possible.
• 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.
• 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? **UPDATED 2/5/10**

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 come to McCosh Health Center for an in-person evaluation or call UHS at (609) 258-3141 to make a same-day appointment.

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? **UPDATED 2/5/10**

Students diagnosed with flu-like illness are directed to stay in their rooms during illness and for at least 24 hours after fever is gone and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Students who live within driving distance of the University may choose to return to their homes for the duration of their illness.

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

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.

OTHER FAQs

• Health Questions
• Faculty Questions
• Employee Questions
• Travel Questions
• University Response and Resources

Back to H1N1 Influenza page

Last update: 05-Feb-2010 11:37 AM
Web page comments or errors: Robin Izzo.