This document provides information on preventing and treating the flu and common colds. It recommends not sharing personal items, washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and maintaining distance from sick people. Symptoms of colds are generally milder than the flu. Self-care tips include gargling salt water, resting, hydrating, eating nutritious foods, using steam or cough drops. Students feeling flu-like symptoms should stay home and contact health services if symptoms persist or worsen. The seasonal flu vaccine is available at the campus health center.

1. Preventing Flu and Colds
Health Services
University of New Hampshire

2. Be a Germ Fighter
DON’T SHARE WASH YOUR HANDS – OFTEN
Don’t share towels, eating utensils, You can pick up germs/viruses by
toothbrushes, drinking glasses or shaking hands, touching
other items that may spread germs. doorknobs, phones, computers, ATM
S, etc.
Even if someone is not sick at the
time of sharing, he/she may still be Wash your hands with soap and
contagious for flu or cold. water or with an alcohol-based (at
least 60%) hand gel.

4. Be a Germ Fighter
COVER YOUR MOUTH AND NOSE DISPOSE
Sneeze/cough into your elbow or Throw your dirty tissues in the
shoulder or cover your mouth and trash.
nose with a tissue.
Keep Your Distance!
Try to avoid close contact with
people who are sick!

5. Feeling Sick?
Is it a cold or flu?
SYMPTOMS COLD FLU
Fever Rare Usual – high (100.4 to 102 degrees F)
is typical, lasts 3-4 days
Headache Rare Common
Aches, Pains Slight Usual – often severe and sudden
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea Never Sometimes
Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual – can last up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion Never Usual – at the beginning of illness
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Usual Sometimes
Sore Throat Common Sometimes
Chest Discomfort/Cough Mild to moderate/hacking cough Common/can become severe

6. FLU-LIKE
SYMPTOMS
Fever (greater than 100 F)
Sore throat and/or cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Chills
Fatigue
Headaches
Body aches
You may possibly also
experience diarrhea and
vomiting.

7. The flu is caused by a virus that cannot be treated with antibiotics and in
most cases, antiviral medication is usually not advised.
Recommended treatment for the flu is
good self-care and symptom relief.

8. Self-Care Tips
GARGLE WITH SALT STAY HOME, IF YOU ARE SICK
Salt helps relieve sore throat pain. You should not go to classes, work or
Add 1 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm water. participate in social activities.
Let your RA and Professors know that
you are ill.

9. Self-Care Tips
SLEEP, REST and HYDRATE EAT WELL
Get plenty of sleep and rest. Students who are ill or unable to
leave their residence hall should
When you’re awake drink one 8 oz. contact their RA to coordinate a
glass of clear fluids each hour. We takeout meal with Dining Services.
suggest water, broth or sports drinks.

10. Self-Care Tips
STEAM SOUP
Increase humidity in your living space Vegetable or chicken soup helps
with a vaporizer/humidifier. boost your immune system.
Steam from a hot shower will also
help you breathe easier.

11. Self-Care Tips
NON-PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS COUGH DROPS/THROAT LOZENGES
You may lower your fever and help Take as needed for pain relief.
relieve head/body aches with
Acetaminophen (i.e. Tylenol), a non-
Visit the Health Services Pharmacy
aspirin pain reliever.
for discounted non-prescription
medications!
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin)
may help with pain
relief, fever, body/muscle aches and

12. When to call Health Services
In most cases, it is not necessary to come to Health Services.
Those students who SHOULD seek care are students with CHRONIC MEDICAL
conditions and students who are experiencing the following SYMPTOMS:
 Temperature of 101 degrees F or greater lasts longer than 4 days
 Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath
 Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen
 Recurring dizziness
 Confusion
 Sever or persistent vomiting
 Severe headache, rash or stiff neck
 Any symptoms lasting longer than 5-7 days
 Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever or worse cough
 Anytime you are concerned about your symptoms
If your symptoms get worse
call Health Services at (603) 862-2856

13. Flu
Vaccine
Available! (while supplies last)
Call (603) 862-2856 for an
appointment
The vaccine is available at
NO charge for students who
have paid their mandatory
fees.
In general, mandatory fees are paid by degree
students enrolled for 5 or more credit hours.
$25 for students who have
not paid their mandatory
fees.
unh.edu/health-services/flu