The Oklahoma City University family is taking steps to stay healthy this flu season by following the guidelines set forth for higher education institutions by the Centers for Disease Control. We should all take personal responsibility to help slow the spread of the flu virus. By practicing these steps, we can keep from getting sick from flu and help protect others from getting the flu.

What steps can staff, faculty and students take?

• Practice good hand hygiene. Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  
  
• Practice respiratory etiquette. The main way flu spreads is from person to person is in droplets produced by coughs and sneezes, so it’s important that people cover their mouths and noses with tissue when they cough or sneeze. If you don’t have tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbows or shoulders, not their hands.
  
  
• Stay home if sick. Stay home or in your place of residence for at least 24 hours after you no long have a fever.
  
  
• Talk to your health care providers about whether you should be vaccinated. Students, faculty, and staff who want protection from the flu are encouraged to get vaccinated for seasonal flu. Also students, faculty, and staff who are at higher risk for flu complications from 2009 H1N1 flu, should consider getting the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available. People at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 flu complications include pregnant women and people with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes). For more information about priority groups for vaccination, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

For on-campus information, contact:

OCU Flu Hotline: 405-208-6400
Student Health and Disability Services: 405-208-5090
Human Resources: 405-208-5983
Academic Affairs: 405-208-5287