Cold & Flu
Getting Ready for Cold/Flu Season
Be Proactive and Get Vaccinated!
- While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common.
- The CDC recommends most people older than 6 months get the flu shot.
Take Everyday Preventive Actions
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water (at least 20 seconds), especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are an alternative but not as effective as hand-washing.
- Avoid close contact with sick people.
- Stay home from work or school and limit contact with others when you are sick to protect others. Don't share food or drink items, utensils, tooth
- brushes, cigarettes, joints, or any other item that has been in contact with the mouth, saliva, etc. of another person.
- Take care of yourself: eat healthy food, drink plenty of water, exercise, get plenty of rest, do not smoke and avoid alcoholic beverages.
- Make sure your immunizations are up to date, including the annual flu shot.
Make a “Cold/Flu Kit”
Seasonal flu viruses cause many people to become sick each year, so it is wise to practice prevention. Don't be left unprepared! Get a “cold/flu” kit together before you get sick.
Suggested items include:
- Thermometer (contact health provider if fever is 101 or greater for 3 or more days)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Tissues
- Acetaminophen
The CDC recommends that universities do NOT require a doctor’s note to confirm illness or recovery. In accordance with this recommendation, the SJSU Student Wellness Center does not issue doctor’s notes, sick notes or “excuses” for Influenza like Illnesses (ILI).
Not having students come in for sick notes also helps to limit the spread of Influenza Like Illnesses (ILI) to students seeking treatment for other injuries or illnesses. It also helps to maintain student/professor communication as the context for determining whether course requirements are being met or not.
- There is no need to contact your health care provider unless you have any of the following symptoms or conditions:
- A fever of 101 or greater for 3 or more days
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- Dizziness/fainting/confusion
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Symptoms that last for more than 10 days or are getting worse
- Very young children or the elderly (65 yrs or older), pregnancy, chronic lung disease, heart disease, neurological conditions, weakened immune systems)
2. Stay home to take care of yourself if you do not have any of the above symptoms or fit any of the above categories
3. Check out these sites for more Self Care tips:
4. Cover your cough!
