Influenza Information

Cornell's Student Health and crisis management teams are closely monitoring the progress of the current influenza outbreak and will inform the campus if there are significant concerns or additional precautions to take. Please refer to this page and the Student Health Center homepage for the latest updates.

Student self-reporting

If you believe you may have the flu, we suggest that you take a look the CDC information page listing the symptoms of influenza.  If you still believe you may have the flu, please report your symptoms via our self-reporting form. There are several benefits to self-reporting:

  1. Your RA will get the notification and be able to check on you.
  2. We can deliver a flu kit to your room.  For $10 you will receive a thermometer, a face mask, sanitizing wipes, and influenza information. This can be billed to your student account. Please call the Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center at 319.895.4292 to order your kit. 
  3. You will have documented your illness incase you run into difficulty with your class.

Call student health before visiting

Cornell  is also advising otherwise healthy students who are experiencing flu-like symptoms -- such as a  fever and a cough -- to call the Student Health Services at 319.895.4292 prior to coming to the Ebersole Health and Wellbeing Center.  An in-person visit may not be necessary and may inadvertently expose more people to the virus.

The staff nurses will speak with you about self-care.  Isolation is recommended until 24 hours after the fever is gone. 

General precautions to prevent illness in yourself and others

Education and prevention are the best tools available for combating influenza. Following are some general precautions:

  • Get a flu shot. 
  • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer.
  • Regularly wipe down high-touch surfaces, such as computer keyboard, cell phones, and doorknobs with antiseptic wipes. 
  • If you are sick, stay home. Call your health care provider if you exhibit flu-like symptoms.
  • Avoid others with respiratory illnesses.
  • Sneeze or cough into your elbow.
  • Wash your hands after sneezing or coughing.
  • As a member of Cornell community, please take responsibility for your own health and the health of others by following these precautions.

Symptoms

Infectious period for influenza is 1 day before onset of illness to 7 days after onset of illness. The symptoms of influenza include:

  • fever
  • sore throat
  • cough
  • stuffy nose
  • chills
  • headache
  • severe body aches
  • significant fatigue

Some people with influenza also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Anyone with underlying chronic medical conditions may be more seriously impacted by influenza. If you believe you may have the flu, you should stay home and keep away from others as much as possible—including avoiding travel and not going to work or school—for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. 

Those at risk for complications

People at higher risk for flu complications include children under the age of 5, pregnant women, people of any age who have chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people age 65 years and older. Contact a healthcare provider right away if you are having difficulty breathing, pain or pressure in your chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, and/or severe or persistent vomiting or if you are getting worse.

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