If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or nausea, you may not need to see a health professional if your symptoms are mild. When in doubt, call your personal health professional or the NYU Student Health Center at (212) 443-1000, or consult the SHC web site at www.nyu.edu/shc for the latest advice and guidance. The vast majority of people who become ill have mild to moderate severity and recover fully in a week or less, without any medical intervention. However, if you are ill with flu and are pregnant or have any chronic illness, please call your personal health professional or the Student Health Center right away.
If you are ill, DO NOT go to class or to work. You should stay home or in your room at the residence hall and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. You should NOT return to work or attend class until your fever is gone for a full day (24 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medicine. This also applies if you plan to use public transportation to return home or travel.
Click here for home isolation instructions for persons with fever and cough.
If you experience any of the following warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Persistent vomiting
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
...seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or NYU Public Safety at (212) 998-2222.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of influenza discuss with their physicians the risks and benefits of travel in the context of their planned itinerary, and may want to consider postponing travel. Please consult www.cdc.gov/travel for the latest U.S. travel advisory updates.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.
Take these everyday steps to protect your health:
- 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 hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
Other important actions that you can take are:
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds, and other social distancing measures.
- Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.
What should I do if I get sick?
If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or nausea, you may not need to see a health professional if your symptoms are mild. When in doubt, call your personal health professional or the NYU Student Health Center at (212) 443-1000, or consult the SHC web site at www.nyu.edu/shc for the latest advice and guidance. The vast majority of people who become ill have mild to moderate severity and recover fully in a week or less, without any medical intervention. However, if you are ill with flu and are pregnant or have any chronic illness, please call your personal health professional or the Student Health Center right away.
If you are sick, do not go to class or to work. You should stay home or in your residence hall and avoid contact with other people as much as possible for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone to keep from spreading your illness to others.
Click here for home isolation instructions for persons with fever and cough.
If you experience any of the following warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
... seek emergency medical care by calling 911 or NYU Public Safety at (212) 998-2222.
What should I do if someone I know gets sick?
If you have had close contact with someone who has had influenza and you have a risk factor for complications (shown below), you should consult with your healthcare provider as to whether you should receive preventive treatment. Those risk factors include:
- Chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, hematological, or metabolic disorders
- Immunosuppression, including HIV-related or caused by medication
- Compromised respiratory function, including conditions which increase the risk for aspiration
- Long-term aspirin therapy
- Pregnancy
- Age > 65 years
- Age < 2 years
- Residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities