Flu Buddies
How can your Flu Buddy help you?
- Get a flu shot and follow prevention guidelines to stay healthy to take care of you, if necessary.
- Pick up a “flu kit” for you from Student Health with disposable thermometer, masks and over-the-counter medications.
- Bring you food so you don’t have to go out for meals. (Dining Services offers “meals to go” as one option.)
- Bring you materials you need to keep up with classes.
- Call several times a day to see if you need anything.
- Help your roommate find a place to stay until your fever is gone for 24 hours.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from you unless you are wearing a mask.
- Wash hands with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, on entering and leaving your room.
How can you make it easier for your Flu Buddy to help?
- Recognize flu symptoms (fever of ≥100.0°F or 37.8°C with cough or sore throat) and call your “Flu Buddy” for assistance. Other flu symptoms may include chills, body aches, headache, runny/stuffy nose, fatigue, weakness, and diarrhea or vomiting.
- Stay in your room as much as possible until your fever is gone for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.
- Wear a mask when your flu buddy is visiting or if you must leave your room. (If you are unable to wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet away from others.)
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose of tissues in a trash can and wash your hands immediately.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wipe down commonly shared surfaces (such as door handles, desks, phones, keyboards) frequently with disinfectant wipes.
- Stay in touch with your professors by phone or e-mail. Request “meals to go” from Dining Services to make it easy for your flu buddy to bring you food.
- Say “Thank you!” and be a “Flu Buddy” for them if needed.