Flu Information and Resources

Help Reduce the Spread of the Flu

The Florida Department of Health has reported that flu activity is widespread, with more cases reported than in previous flu seasons. With flu activity continuing to increase, State College of Florida’s (SCF) Critical Incident Management Team is encouraging all members of the College community to do their part to reduce the spread of the virus.

SCF’s Department of Public Safety offers these tips based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help prevent the flu from spreading:

• Consider getting vaccinated: The CDC recommends flu vaccination for everyone six months of age and older. Talk with your health care provider about whether you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu. For full-time SCF employees who participate in the College’s Florida Blue health plans, the flu vaccination is covered by insurance.
• Recognize flu symptoms: Fever (equal to or greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius), cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea can all be symptoms of the flu. Visit your doctor as soon as possible if you exhibit flu-like symptoms.
• Limit contact with sick people: The flu spreads easily, so it’s best to avoid close contact with sick people. If you have flu-like symptoms, limit contact with others as much as possible to avoid infecting them.
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone: This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Students should notify their professors, and employees should notify their supervisors if they are absent because of the flu.
• Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners also are effective and should be used when soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose: When you cough or sneeze, use a tissue. If you don’t have one, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder, not into your hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

For more information about flu season and prevention, please visit www.flu.gov