I Think I Have the Flu
Need a doctor's note for class?
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of H1N1 virus, which are similar to symptoms of seasonal influenza and generally include:
- Fever of greater than 100.4° F
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue
- Occasionally diarrhea and vomiting
Severe complications, such as pneumonia, sometimes occur and may be more likely in people with underlying medical conditions.
If I think I might have H1N1, what should I do?
If you are ill but do not have a high-risk condition or severe symptoms (see below) you should remain home until your illness has passed.
Isolate yourself until your fever is gone for at least 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medications). Continue to practice respiratory etiquette (cover your coughs & sneezes and wash your hands frequently) as you may still be contagious after the 24-hour period has passed.
If you have questions or are unsure of what to do, please call the phone nurse at (303) 492-3435 (during regular business hours).
See a health care professional IF
- you have an underlying health condition or risk such as
- diabetes,
- asthma or other chronic lung conditions,
- a compromised immune system,
- you are pregnant, or
- your condition worsens (e.g. you develop severe shortness of breath, extremely high fever, etc.)
If you are ill but do not have a high risk condition or severe symptoms, you should remain at home until your illness has passed.
If you have questions or are unsure of what to do, please call the phone nurse at (303) 492-3435 (during regular business hours).
Treatment
Self-care treatment includes:
- Fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Advil
- Fluids
- Rest
Wardenburg Health Center will consider only people in at-risk popluations as potential recipients of anti-viral medications such as Tamiflu as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Please stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading the illness to others. If you must go somewhere or be around people, cover your cough and wash your hands frequently.
Need a doctor's note for class?
Wardenburg Health Center will not provide documentation of illness for flu-like symptoms for your professor however we have a letter available for you to print and submit to your professor. Letter to faculty (PDF) >>
