If You Get Sick
Regardless of the type of illness you have, it is important to take care of yourself… and other people. Flu symptoms are a cough, body aches, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose AND a fever of 100 degrees F (37.8 C) or greater.
If you suspect you may have a flu-like illness, take your temperature and make a list of your symptoms to report to the Student Health Center at 255-1275. We will determine what you may need for medical care and if you need to be isolated from the rest of campus. After hours, call the emergency room.
Stay home and rest up!
Students living on campus who cannot go home will be taken to isolation rooms until they can go home or are better. Please contact your Resident Director.
Limit the spread of the flu virus by:
Using good hygiene, hand sanitizers, cleaning supplies, etc. Keep your distance (at least 6 feet) from others. Stay out of classes, work, social events, public transportation, etc. until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours. (Fever should be absent without the use of fever-reducing medicine.) A cough may linger, but is not considered reason to stay out of circulation. Wear a facemask to prevent the spread of illness if exposure to others is necessary. Wear a facemask if you need to leave your room to use the bathroom or come to the Health Center.
Self Care:
Monitor and record your temperature. Fever can be dehydrating, so push fluids!
Stay hydrated with plenty of clear liquids (water, broth, herbal tea, etc.) Try to take in adequate nutrition to support your immune system.
Treat symptoms with acetaminophen/Tylenol or ibuprofen for aches and pains, cough medicine, throat lozenges and decongestants as needed. You should continue to take your usual prescription medications. Treatment with antiviral medications is recommended only for those at high risk of severe complications and those seriously ill. Treatment with antibiotics is not effective since the flu is caused by a virus.
Generally, people can manage recovery at home with little or no medical attention. However, certain people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications and should consult their health care providers with the onset of flu-like symptoms. These groups include:
- Pregnant women
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions:
- Heart, lung, liver, or kidney disease
- Asthma
- Diabetes
- Immune-suppression
Call the Student Health Center at 255-1275 or your health care provider for consultation if your symptoms worsen. Warning signs that you may be developing flu complications are:
- Significant increase in difficulty breathing
- Significant worsening of fatigue
- Increased pain or pressure in your chest
- Your urine is very dark because of not drinking enough fluids
- Vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down
- Confusion
- Symptoms had improved, then return with fever and worse cough
Individuals you have close contact with (e.g., roommate, family member) should monitor their personal health and be aware of any symptoms. Follow these self-care guidelines or seek medical consultation by phone if you develop a cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose AND have a fever of greater than 100 degrees F (37.8C).
To assist UMM and health officials in tracking the spread of the illness, please report your flu symptoms by e-mail to ummhealthservices@maine.edu.
