The following questions relate to parents of students. Please see the General FAQ page for students, faculty and staff about prevention, immunization, symptoms and treatment.
Q. What should I do if my student calls me reporting flu-like symptoms?
If students exhibit flu-like symptoms, please ask them to call or visit the ACU Medical Clinic (325-674-2625). For immediate attention after ACU Medical Clinic hours and on weekends, they can visit one of the local minor emergency clinics.
The CDC recommends that people with flu-like illness remain at home and away from other people until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance or are sweating). This should be determined before the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Students may choose to leave campus and return to their family's home while ill. However, if they cannot return home, they should stay in their local house, apartment or residence hall room as much as possible. If they live on campus, arrangements can be made to have meals delivered to their room.
Q. As a parent of a student who attends ACU, should I bring my child home if he or she is ill with the flu?
If possible, residential students with flu-like illness whose families live near campus should go home. They should return home in a way that limits contact with others as much as possible. For example, travel by private car would be preferable over use of public transportation. Whether at home or remaining on campus, students ill with the flu should stay away from other people until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Q. How will I know if my student has the regular seasonal flu or the 2009 H1N1 flu?
It will be very difficult to tell if someone who is sick has 2009 H1N1 flu rather than the seasonal flu. The treatments for the 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu will be the same even after the 2009 H1N1 vaccine becomes available this fall. We will notify students as soon as we confirm the date of arrival for the vaccine. At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend testing to determine if flu cases are the 2009 H1N1 flu or the regular seasonal flu because the vaccine is not available and the treatment is the same. Therefore, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of any kind of flu on campus. We are working closely with the local health department to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best steps to take concerning our institution.
Q. Should my student get antiviral medicine if he or she gets sick?
Make sure your child knows if he or she is at higher risk for flu complications. People at higher risk for flu complications include those with certain chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease or diabetes). If these higher risk students become sick with flu-like illness, they should call their health care provider as soon as possible to determine if they need antiviral treatment. Early treatment with antiviral medicines often can prevent hospitalizations and deaths. Parents should encourage sick students who are at higher risk for flu complications to seek early treatment. Antiviral medicines are not given to all patients during flu season because most people get better on their own, over-use can promote antiviral-resistant viruses, and administration of antiviral medicines can cause adverse reactions in some people. The staff of the ACU Medical Clinic will decide whether to prescribe antiviral medications on a case-by-case basis.
Q. What if my student's roommate is diagnosed with the flu?
If students live in a residence hall, they should contact their residence hall staff to request another room temporarily until their roommate is no longer contagious. If they live off-campus, they should contact the Residence Life staff for help in finding an appropriate location.
Q. What if I have a student participating in study abroad programs?
ACU will continuously assess the flu situation in countries where we have students in study abroad programs. We advise your child to use good judgment and to take precautions against the flu in the country where they are living, as well as in any countries to which they may travel.
