For Employees

Reduce your risk

Here are 4 main ways you may keep from getting sick with the flu:

1. Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.  Departments with high traffic areas or service desks should consider having hand sanitizer available in those areas.
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands.
3. Stay at home if you are sick with flu symptoms for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). This isolation should extend to not coming to work, using public transport, running errands, or attending public events or private gatherings. Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed. 
4. Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination. Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm.  Check the Student Health Service News section of this website for flu vaccine clinic information.

If you are sick

• Employees who are experiencing flu-like illness should contact their health care provider to determine whether they need medical consultation.

• Employees who need to isolate themselves need to contact their supervisors by e-mail or phone as soon as possible to communicate their situation.  If feasible and/or applicable, work-from-home options may be available.

• If you must leave your home  to seek medical care, you should cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.  A surgical loose-fitting mask can be helpful if you have access to it, but a tissue or other covering is appropriate as well.

• Employees who have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of severe illness from flu, or develop severe symptoms such as increased fever, shortness of breath, chest pain  or pressure, or rapid breathing should seek medical attention immediately. Certain medical conditions increase the risk of severe and fatal illness. These include respiratory disease, notably asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and immunosuppression. Pregnant women are also at increased risk.  For more information, see the CDC site for Information for Specific Groups.

• Minimize contact with family or other household member during the isolation period.  See the CDC Guidelines for Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home.

Taking care of sick family members

• Employees who may need to be at home to care for sick family members should contact their supervisor and/or Human Resources to communicate their situation and obtain details regarding sick and family leave time.

• Designate one person if possible to care for the sick family member.  Minimize contact with others in the household.  See the CDC Guidelines for Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home.