It's flu season! As you know, flu can be spread easily from person to person - whether it's seasonal flu, for the H1N1 flu. We are taking steps to prevent the spread of flu at Trinity, but, we need your help to accomplish this.

We are working closely with the Lake County Health Department to monitor flu conditions on campus and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution. This page has some helpful resources from the university, and the local and national authorities, to keep you informed and prepared for flu season.

At this time, we have experienced a normal number of cases of the seasonal flu.  We will keep you updated with new information as it becomes available to us.  Check back to this page for further updates.

H1N1 Flu Vaccines Are Available Through University Health Services

University Health Services now has an injectable H1N1 vaccine available to the campus community. There will be a nominal fee of $5 for each dose.  If a member of the Trinity community would like to receive the H1N1 vaccine, but is unable to pay, they may request that Health Services waive the fee.  There are no longer any doses remaining on campus for the seasonal flu vaccine.

No appointment is necessary. Health Services is open Monday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Please contact Campus Nurse Barbara Vietmeier R.N. at ext. 6698, with any questions.

Since the nationwide availability of the H1N1 vaccines has been limited, and the supply available to Trinity will likely be limited, University Health Services recommends that the initial vaccinations go to people who are in certain priority groups designated by the Centers for Disease Control:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

If you are not in one of these priority groups, please wait to request a vaccination until those in the priority groups have been served.

University Health Services hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Please contact Director of Health Services Barbara Vietmeier R.N. at ext. 6698 or health@tiu.edu, with any questions. The University Health Service Center is located in the lower level of Owens Hall - 800 Building.

Flu Symptoms

What are the symptoms of seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 flu?

Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.  

How do I recognize a fever or signs of a fever?

A fever is a temperature that is equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius when taken with a thermometer. Look for these possible signs of fever: if he or she feels very warm, has a flushed appearance, or is sweating or shivering.

How do I know if someone has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu?

It will be very hard to tell if someone who is sick has 2009 H1N1 flu or seasonal flu. Public health officials and medical authorities will not be recommending laboratory tests. Anyone who has the symptoms of flu-like illness should stay home and not go to school or work.

What fever-reducing medications can students, faculty, and staff take when sick?

Fever-reducing medications are medicines that contain acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Motrin). These medicines can be given to people who are sick with flu to help bring their fever down and relieve their pain. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years of age who have flu; this can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.

Warning Signs for Urgent Medical Attention

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
  • Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Find healthy ways to deal with stress and anxiety.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Updated November 17, 2009.

Flu Shots Flu Symptoms Vaccinations Warning Signs for Urgent Medical Attention Staying Healthy TIU Health Services Center Centers for Disease Control (CDC) U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Lake County Health Department