As spring semester begins, the Ohio University community should be mindful that students and employees are returning to campus in the midst of what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling a very active flu season.
In an update issued Friday, Jan. 12, officials from the CDC noted that widespread flu activity has been reported in 49 U.S. states and that, while nationally the influenza season may be peaking, it will be many more weeks before the season ends.
Influenza/flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by an influenza virus. Symptoms can be mild to severe and include fever, cough, sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
To reduce your chances of becoming ill, CDC officials recommend the following measures:
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing.
- Limit your contact with individuals who are sick.
- If possible, stay home and avoid contact with others if you are sick.
- If you have not yet received a flu vaccination, get one.
For more information about the flu and how to prevent it, visit OHIO’s Health Alerts webpage on the flu . The University’s Health Alerts series is dedicated to proactively empowering the University community with knowledge and resources to address health and safety issues facing today’s college students, faculty and staff.