Seasonal Influenza (Flu) Vaccination Administration

Sarah Lawrence College Health Services has received a supply of seasonal influenza (flu) and offers it to students, free of charge.  Students who have a compromised immune system or have any of the following: cardio-vascular disease, lung disease (including asthma), kidney or liver disease, metabolic disease (including diabetes), anemia or other blood disorder, muscular or neurologic disorders should self identify to Health Services for early vaccination.

General offering of the seasonal flu vaccine will initiate on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at the annual SLC Health Fair. The Health Fair is located on the south lawn of Westlands from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

Additional Flu vaccination clinics will be held throughout the fall semester, including October 10, 11, 17, and 18 at Bates, from 12 noon to 2 p.m.  

Symptoms of Influenza

Seasonal influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that presents with the following symptoms:

  • Sudden onset of fever greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Muscle aches/pains
  • Headaches
  • Lack of energy
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea

What You Can Do

In order to stay healthy and prevent the spread of influenza on our campus, we offer the following recommendations:

Prevention

  • Obtain the seasonal flu vaccine
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or cough into your arm/elbow.  Do not sneeze/cough into your hands
  • Wash your hands often with soap/water or alcohol-based hand rub
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Self Care

The CDC recommends the following self care for people who experience influenza symptoms:

  • Stay home/out of school (self isolate) for at least 24 hours after you are free of fever (100 degree F) without the use of fever reducing medication
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink clear fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Don’t share eating utensils, cups, dishes and cleanse them in a dishwasher or hot soapy water
  • Throw away tissues in the trash. Wash hands after touching used tissues
  • Wash hands in soap and water often, especially after coughing and sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Medical Care

In addition to the self care recommendations listed above, people experiencing influenza symptoms should:

  • Take medication for symptom relief as needed. For fever and pain, use acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin) and cough medicine. Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) or products that contain aspirin (e.g. Pepto-Bismol) to children 18 years old or younger.
  • Seek emergency care for complications including:
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Flu like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Additional Resources

More information can be found at the following Web sites:

http://cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm 
http://flu.gov.
http://www.slc.edu/healthservices

Questions can be directed to SLC Health Services: (914) 395-2350.