Student Information
At this time, students who are NOT sick can safely come to class and to work. We are working closely with the Hamilton County Health Department and will keep you updated with any important information regarding the current flu conditions.
If you go to your doctor and are diagnosed with the H1N1 virus, it is necessary that you report your diagnosis to the University Health Service at 778-9303.
Students who will miss class due to illness should notify their professors of their absence. The Dean of Students Office can assist students with notifying professors if class absences will be long term or if assistance is needed in working with professors. Contact the Dean of Students at 425-4761.
Staying Healthy | If You Are Sick
Staying Healthy
We encourage all students to follow these recommendations to stay healthy.
- Get the flu vaccines (regular seasonal flu and H1N1) as soon as they become available.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If a tissue is not available, cough into your shirt sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Wash your hands before eating.
- Do not share your food, drink, or utensils with others.
- Avoid close contact with other people, especially those with flu symptoms.
- Practice other good health habits – get plenty of sleep, be physically active, drink plenty of fluids, eat nutritious food. More information...
Create a Flu Kit
Given that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is a good idea to create a flu kit before you feel sick. Such a kit could include:
- a thermometer
- hand sanitizer
- a fever reducer such as Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen
- facial tissues
- rehydration beverages, such as sports drinks
If You Are Sick
- If you experience any flu symptoms, you should limit contact with others and stay home from work or school and remain there until your fever has been gone for at least 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medication. For most students this is likely to be 3-5 days. If you are a health-care profession student and participate in patient care, the CDC recommends 7 days of self-isolation.
- We encourage housing students to go home or to an off-campus residence for recovery if possible.
- The majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor’s treatment. If you have been in contact with someone who has the flu, onset of the virus can take up to three days.
- If you have severe symptoms or are at a high-risk for flu complications (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy), seek medical care at University Health Services or your private physician.
- If your symptoms are mild and you want to discuss them with a health care provider, email University Health Services at health@utc.edu.
Missing Class
- Students are not required to provide a doctor's note for flu-related absences.
- Students who will miss class due to illness should notify their professors of their absence. The Dean of Students Office can assist students with notifying professors if class absences will be long term or if assistance is needed in working with professors. Contact the Dean of Students at 425-4761.
Resources
Reliable sources of information on the flu outbreak include:
UTC University Health Services (778-9303): http://www.utc.edu/Administration/UniversityHealthServices/
Hamilton County Health Department information hotline: (423) 209-8393
Hamilton County Health Department website: http://health.hamiltontn.org/swineflu.aspx
Tennessee Department of Health website: http://health.state.tn.us/swineflu.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
CDC Guidance for Responses to Influenza for Institutions of Higher Education during the 2009-2010 Academic Year: http://www.flu.gov/plan/school/higheredguidance.html
Inactive H1N1 Vaccine Information Sheet: http://www.utc.edu/flu/Inactiveh1n1Vaccine.pdf
