Willamette University

Flu FAQs

Each of us plays a role in keeping our campus safe and healthy. We encourage employees and students to use these FAQs and the other resources on the Flu Preparedness and Bishop Wellness websites to learn how to prevent the spread of the influenza virus, what you should do if you are ill, and who to contact for assistance.

If you have questions not addressed by these FAQs, please contact Bishop Wellness Center at X6062.

  1. How can I prevent the spread of flu?
  2. Should I get immunized?
  3. How can I tell if I have the flu?
  4. Where can I go if I think I might have the flu?
  5. What should I do if I have been diagnosed with the flu?
  6. What should I eat if I am sick with flu?
  7. Who should I contact if I have been diagnosed with the flu?
  8. What should I do if my roommate has the flu?
  9. What university services are provided to students who have the flu?
  10. What should I do if my employee has the flu?

1. How can I prevent the spread of flu?

The best prevention for all types of influenza is to receive flu immunizations. See "Immunizations" below.  In addition, adopt these effective prevention measures:

  • Wash hands frequently, especially after you cough or sneeze (use waterless hand sanitizer when soap and warm water are unavailable)
  • Sanitize hard surfaces such as tables, desks, door knobs frequently. You can use household disinfecting wipes or spray disinfectants that kill bacteria and viruses
  • Cover your cough (cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not into your hands)
  • Social distancing (avoiding large groups and contact with sick people)
  • Stay home when you are ill (protect others and accelerate your recovery)
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

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2. Should I get immunized?

Yes, the best prevention for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza is to receive flu immunizations.  See "Immunizations, H1N1 Flu," below.

Immunizations - Seasonal Flu

For students: Seasonal flu shot clinics will take place in the fall for Willamette students. These immunizations will be available for a nominal fee. Watch for an announcement mid-September about these clinics, or check this website.

For employees:  

Human Resources will hold free flu shot clinics Oct. 8 and Oct. 26 for Willamette employees. Scheduling will be done online only through WISE (http://wise.willamette.edu/portal).

Due to the volume of responses we get to this clinic, please be advised that we cannot take or schedule flu shots over the phone or via email. Employees with limited or no access to email were provided early access to schedule their shot. If you participated in last year's flu shot clinics, you should already have membership access to the 2009 Flu Shot Clinic tab in WISE.

  • Instructions for WISE scheduling — PDF of WISE instructions and screen captures to assist you with scheduling your appointment.
  • Required immunization consent form — PDF of immunization consent form, fill out and bring with you to your shot appointment (please be sure to make a copy of the completed form if you want one for your records).

Immunizations - H1N1 Flu

The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is different from the one for regular seasonal flu. Two doses may be needed to achieve immunity.

The H1N1 vaccine is in production and is expected to be available in mid-October. When it is available, the Marion County Health Department will distribute free doses to Bishop Wellness Center for the Willamette community, in both inhaled and shot form.

Priority will be given to students and employees who fall into high-risk populations, including people ages 19 to 24, pregnant women, caregivers to young children, and people ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.

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3. How can I tell if I have the flu?

The symptoms of both seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus are the same, including a sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, nausea and sore throat. If you become sick, the duration of the illness can be limited with antiviral medications given at the first sign of symptoms.

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4. Where can I go if I think I might have the flu?

For students: Please contact the Bishop Wellness Center (willamette.edu/dept/wellness) for an in-office flu test. The center is able to prescribe antiviral medications if appropriate. The center is open Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

For after hours care, please contact Salem Hospital Urgent Care (www.salemhospital.org) located between Winter Street and 12th Street, across from the Sparks parking lot. Urgent care is open daily 10 a.m.-8 p.m., (503) 561-5554.

On weekends, you can also call 503-370-6911 for assistance from Campus Safety and Security. They will dispatch the Willamette Emergency Medical Services (WEMS) to assist in evaluation. If further medical care is needed, Campus Safety will arrange transportation to the appropriate facility.

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5. What should I do if I have been diagnosed with the flu?

Ill students are advised to stay home, or in their residence hall rooms, as the case may be, while they are contagious, which is 24 hours after the fever. Employees who are sick should contact their health care provider and stay home until they are no longer contagious, as they would with any other contagious illness.

Avoid Contact with Others

If you are sick, you may be ill for a week or longer. 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 fever subsides except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine.)

Emergency Warning Signs

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, return to Bishop or seek emergency medical care:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Blue color to skin
  • Unable to eat or drink
  • Fever over 102 that does not resolve with medication
  • Flu-like symptoms improve but then fever returns and cough worsens

Protect Yourself and Your Community

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
  • Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective, but not as effective as soap and water.
  • If you are sick and sharing a common space with others, wear a facemask, if available and tolerable, to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Stay home and keep away from others as much as possible, including not going to work or school, for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care.

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6. What should I eat if I am sick with flu?

Only 15% of H1N1 influenza cases have included gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. If you are experiencing those symptoms the following diet will help.

Foods that are difficult to digest and should be avoided include:

  • Milk & Milk Products
  • Butter, Oils, Fats
  • Fried Foods
  • Raw Fruits & Vegetables
  • Coffee, Cola, Cocoa
  • Alcoholic Beverages
  • Citrus Juices

Try to drink adequate fluids. Sip slowly, but try to get in about 12 ounces of fluid per hour. If your symptoms are quieting down, you may progress to the next step. If not, stick with clear liquids for another 24 hours. If your diarrhea persists despite liquid diet for 48 hours, return to your healthcare provider.

Clear liquids that are easier to digest include:

  • Gatorade
  • 7-Up, Gingerale
  • Weak Tea
  • Jello (not pudding)
  • Clear Apple Juice
  • Chicken or Beef Broth
  • Water

Soft foods can be added as symptoms resolve. Eat small amounts at frequent intervals. Continue to drink fluids and add:

  • Boiled or Poached Egg
  • Thin Soups
  • Rice
  • Potatoes
  • Cooked Oatmeal
  • Cream of Wheat
  • Dry Toast, Plain Crackers
  • Plain, non-grainy breads

If soft foods are tolerated well you can add low fiber foods such as:

  • Poultry and Fish (not fried)
  • Apples, Bananas
  • Cooked Vegetables (no corn or beans)
  • Canned Fruits

You may resume your normal diet in a gradual manner, adding the restricted foods to your diet last.





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7. Who should I contact if I have been diagnosed with the flu?

For students: Please contact Bishop Wellness Center at 503-370-6062. Even if you go to a health provider off campus, please also contact Bishop to help us keep informed for our flu monitoring efforts.

Please contact your professors and coaches to notify them that you have been diagnosed with flu and will be missing classes and practices or games as a result.

For employees: Notify your manager that you are staying home with the flu. Please do not come to work if you are ill.

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8. What should I do if my roommate has the flu?

If you have the opportunity and inclination to stay elsewhere, such as with a local friend or relative, please consider this option. You can obtain a face mask for yourself or your roommate from Bishop Wellness Center to help prevent further spread of germs. Contact your RA to receive disinfectant materials to reduce germs in your room. It is important to disinfect shared surfaces often, such as computers, tables, door knobs. Continue to practice preventative actions such as washing your hands frequently and proper cough etiquette (coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands).

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9. What university services are provided to students who have the flu?

Bishop Wellness Center can evaluate, test and prescribe medications and give appropriate self-care information to students with flu symptoms. Bishop also has a large supply of face masks to help prevent spread of germs.

Food service can be made available for on-campus students who are sick with the flu.

Disinfectant materials such as spray cleaner and hand sanitizer are widely available on campus. Students in residence halls can ask their RA for cleaning materials for their rooms.

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10. What should I do if my employee has the flu?

Please urge your employee to take sick leave and stay home for as long as he or she is contagious (until 24 hours after fever resolves). If your employee calls in sick with flu, please notify Human Resources to assist with our monitoring efforts.

Consider providing extra disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and spray disinfectant around the office for employees to clean their work areas and areas that may get touched frequently, such as doorknobs or public counters. This will help reduce germ spread. To obtain extra bottles of spray disinfectant, contact Facilities at x6135.

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