Flu Facts

BSU-NTC Address Influenza Concerns

BSU-NTC administration and staff are working together with local health department and hospital experts to keep updated on influenza concerns, primarily the H1N1 virus.

The most important advice is to remain calm and to follow the precautions outlined at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) websites websites.

BSU students, as well as students from NTC and Oak Hill Christian College who have signed up for services at BSU's Student Health and Counseling Center, should go to the student health center's web page on
influenza for more information.

Maintain Healthy Daily Practices

• Cover your cough. Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands. Use soap and water to wash your hands, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Use them often.
• Avoid close contact with anyone who appears sick. Stay 6 feet away from others.
• Stay home if you are sick. If you become ill, stay home from work or school, and limit your contact with others. Before returning to activities, you need to be free of a fever for 24 hours without the use of Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Symptoms of Possible Influenza

• Fever over 100.4
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Nasal congestion
• Some people may experience vomiting and/or diarrhea

Managing Flu-like Symptoms

If you have flu-like symptoms, it's important to stay home until your fever is gone.  Download these helpful hints from the Minnesota Department of Health for ways to manage your illness.

Calling the Minnesota FluLine

If you have questions about your flu symptoms and treatment options, you can call the Minnesota FluLine toll-free at 1-866-259-4655 to talk with a nurse.

Seeking Medical Attention

Most cases of flu-like illness have been mild so far.  Generally, healthy adults with flu-like illness do not need to be seen by a medical provider. If you are a staff or faculty member and develop any of the warning signs listed below, however, contact your health provider.

If you are a student and have flu-like symptoms, please call the Student Health and Counseling Center at 218-755-2053 and talk with a nurse.  The nurse will assist you with home care instructions, talk about isolation and answer your questions.

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not able to drink enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or lethargy
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

If you are a faculty or staff member and develop any one of the symptoms listed above, contact your medical provider.  If you are a student and develop any one of these symptoms, contact the student heath center at 218-755-2053, during clinic hours.  After hours, contact North Country Regional Hospital's Emergency Room at 218-333-5595.

Underlying Health Problems

Faculty and staff should contact their medical provider if they have flu-like symptoms and have any of the following medical problems.  Students should call the health center for an appointment if they have flu-like symptoms and have any of these medical problems:

• Immunosuppression due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy, cancer, chronic steroid use
• Pregnant women
• Asthma or chronic pulmonary disease (eg. Cystic fibrosis)
• Cardiovascular disease (eg. Congenital heart disease)
• Chronic renal or hepatic disease (eg. Nephritis, dialysis, chronic hepatitis)
• Neuormuscular disorders (eg. Multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy)
• Diabetes, adrenal insufficienty (eg. Addison's disease)
• Hematologic disorders (eg. Platelet and clotting disorders)
• Chronic rheumatologic disorder (eg. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Gastrointestinal disease (eg. Crohn's, ulcerative colitis)

If a Fever or Cough Returns After Recovery

If your flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough, call your medical provider if you are a faculty or staff member.  Students should call the Student Center for Health and Counseling or their medical provider immediately.

Testing for H1N1

When individuals are hospitalized and quite ill with complicating factors, they may be tested for H1N1. The Minnesota Department of Health does the H1N1 testing. Testing for Influenza A or B is done in certain circumstances, but does not diagnose H1N1.  The Influenza A and B testing is available for students at the Student Center for Health and Counseling (SCHC).

Influenza Vaccinations

Seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all individuals.  If you are a faculty or staff member contact your medical provider or attend a BSU-NTC flu shot clinic.  The seasonal flu shot clinics will be held on Wednesday, October 14, from 8:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall 100 at Bemidji State.  On Thursday, October 15, another clinic will be held from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. in Conference Room B at Northwest Technical College. These clinics are intended for employees, dependents should get their flu shots at their primary care clinic. Bring your insurance card. Without the insurance card, the cost is $24.00.

Students may get a season influenza vaccination at the Student Center for Health and Counseling (SCHC).  The cost is $35.00.  H1N1 vaccine may be available sometime later this fall and the SCHC may be a vaccination site for students.

Watch for more details about the H1N1 vaccine.

The anti-viral medication, Tamiflu, will be available for treatment purposes only, not for prevention. There are guidelines from the MDH and CDC as to when to treat a positive case of H1N1.

If a Fever or Cough Returns After Recovery

If your flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough, call your medical provider if you are a faculty or staff member.  Students should call the Student Center for Health and Counseling or their medical provider immediately.