Influenza Prevention and Treatment

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 12:24:58 -0400

As influenza (flu) season quickly approaches, it is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of influenza. Getting a flu vaccination is particularly important this year. It will help reduce the number of preventable hospitalizations related to flu, which will, in turn, support our nation's medical community in ensuring that persons impacted by COVID-19 receive adequate and timely medical care.

We are encouraging everyone to get a vaccine this season.

Please take time to familiarize yourself with the CDC guidance on Seasonal Influenza Prevention and Vaccination.

It is possible to have both COVID-19 and influenza. Getting a flu vaccine helps to protect you, the UMBC community, and beyond from the spread of seasonal flu.

The treatment for influenza for healthy people is mostly “supportive,” meaning rest, plenty of fluids, and fever-reducing medication as needed. Antiviral medications may be helpful, especially for students, faculty, and staff who have chronic medical problems (e.g., asthma or diabetes) and can be discussed with your primary care provider. Antiviral medications are most effective if started within 48 hours of developing flu symptoms.

If you get sick with flu symptoms, in most cases, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people except to get medical care. Please report your symptoms on the Daily Symptom Monitoring form.

Take fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or naproxen (Aleve) if you do have a fever (temperature over 100°F). Please check your temperature using a working thermometer. If your fever persists for more than 48 hours in spite of taking these medications, please seek medical care.

Drink lots of fluids.

If you have been diagnosed with the flu and develop shortness of breath or severe fatigue, call your healthcare provider or go to an emergency room.

University Health Services

uhs.umbc.edu