Students, Faculty and Staff are advised to get flu
shots
Flu season is off to an early start this year and the U. S. Centers for Disease Control
recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine.
Current CDC reports
indicate high levels of flu-like illness across much of the U.S.
SMU 2013 flu shot schedule
Flu shots are available from most local pharmacies or from the SMU Health Center – while supplies last – from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.
SMU offers free flu shots for all SMU students, benefit eligible faculty, staff, retirees and retiree spouses.
To shorten your wait, please take these steps:
- Complete the Flu Vaccine Form and bring it with you.
- Review the
Health Center's Privacy Policy (HIPAA)
- Review the CDC flu vaccine information:
Influenza Vaccine - What You Need to Know
To avoid catching the flu:
- Get a flu shot.
See the Health Center Schedule.
- Avoid fatigue
and get plenty of rest to keep your immune system working at its
best.
- Get vaccinated.
Vaccines are our best prevention and they are available for students
on campus.
- Wash your hands
with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently, especially
after touching common surfaces (door handles, railings, etc.).
Consider carrying hand sanitizer with you.
- Cover your mouth
when you cough or sneeze with either a disposable tissue or your
sleeve.
- Avoid contact
with people who are sick.
- If you become sick, stay home. Do not infect
others.
- Seek
medical attention if you have acute symptoms such as body aches, cough and/or a fever of more than 100.5.
What you need to know and do:
- If you have flu or flu-like symptoms, stay home and have only limited
contact with others who are not sick. Persons exhibiting flu-like symptoms
should not return to class or work until they no longer have fever for at
least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
- Monitor your health by checking fever and other flu symptoms. Symptoms
of flu usually include fever with cough or sore throat, and sometimes runny
nose, body aches, headache, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Resident students who wish to obtain a meal may do so by contacting Tammie Henderson (214-768-8795 or
tammieh@smu.edu) for later
pick up at the dining hall at Umphrey Lee. Those picking up meals must have
ill student’s SMU ID card.
- Recognize whether a student, roommate, staff or faculty member is at
high risk for severe illness from flu. People at higher risk for flu
complications include pregnant women, persons who have chronic medical
conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, cancer or heart disease) and people
age 65 years and older.
-
Students who have the flu should take either
Relenza or Tamiflu twice a day to shorten
the duration of illness. Take a decongestant
to treat congestion and drainage. For fever,
alternate ibuprofen and Tylenol every 3
hours. Increase fluid intake.
- Students with the flu should e-mail their professors as soon as possible and let them know they
have the flu, or they may call the
Office of the Dean of Student Life for
assistance at 214-768-4564.
Read the policy on absences from class.
- If you get worse after being on the medication for three or four days, go back to the Health Center
or to a physician to have your lungs rechecked to make sure you have not
developed a secondary infection.
If students need assistance after hours
- Visit a local clinic:
- QuestCare, is open Mondays-Fridays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays-Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 214-368-4822.
-
PrimaCare, 6350 E. Mockingbird Lane, is open
Mondays-Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and
Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call
214-828-0448.
- See a private physician.
- Faculty and staff are urged to contact their healthcare providers.
If a student has an emergency
Symptoms
Not sure if you have the flu, a cold or allergies?
Review descriptions of the symptoms.
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