Symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI) include a documented fever greater than 100° F (37.8°C) AND cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Currently, the Minnesota Department of Health is testing for H1N1 flu only in those persons requiring hospitalization or those who have underlying health issues. Unfortunately, infection by H1N1 flu may be indistinguishable from infection by other seasonal flu viruses.

• Encourage your student to implement these recommendations by the CDC and MDH to avoid contracting or spreading the virus:
  - wash or sanitize hands frequently throughout the day
  - avoid touching eyes, mouth or face
  - cover cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve
  - discard used tissues in a wastebasket
  - stay home from classes and work if ill
  - distance yourself from sick persons as much as possible.
• Encourage your student to receive a normal seasonal flu shot as soon as it becomes available. The University has set up a flu-shot clinic on campus on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., the Carlander Room of the Cross of Christ Fellowship Center. The cost is $24.99 and can be billed to most insurance plans or can be paid for by check or cash. Posters will be displayed throughout campus and online with more information.
• Encourage your student to receive the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available. A separate vaccine targeting theH1N1 virus is expected to be available in late October. Concordia has registered to receive a supply of the vaccine, but we do not have specific details at this time as to on when it will arrive or what amount will be made available to us.
• Prepare a flu prevention and treatment "care package" for your student to have at school, including an ample supply of hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, a thermometer, a fever-reducer such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol, tissues and appropriate foods and juices.
• Ensure your student has copies available of the following information: your family's health clinic and/or primary health care provider's telephone numbers, including after-hours and weekend contact numbers; health insurance information, including policy and group numbers and policy holder's name; your health insurance company's nurse advice line (if available); telephone or cell numbers where they can reach you or someone else in case they need to be picked up and/or transported home or to a health care facility.
• If your student has a chronic medical condition, please have them meet with our Health Services staff as early as possible in the semester.

• Following the CDC's most recent recommendations for colleges and universities (8/21/09), students who display influenza-like illness symptoms should "self-isolate." For most students, particularly those living in the metropolitan area or within driving distance of home, this will mean going home and not returning to campus or attending classes until 24 hours after their fever has abated without use of fever-reducing medications. It is the goal of Concordia University to keep the residential buildings open for healthy students.
• Resident students experiencing ILI symptoms who cannot return to their home will be required to self-isolate within their residence hall room or apartment, and to not attend classes until 24 hours after their fever has abated without use of fever-reducing medications. Dining Services and the Office of Residence Life will assist with meal deliveries for such students. Students who become ill may be required to change residence hall for the duration of their illness and until 24 hours after their fever has abated without use of fever-reducing medication. Students with chronic medical conditions whose roommate(s) become ill should contact the Health Services and Residence Life Office for additional assistance if needed.
• Students have been instructed to report their symptoms using an online Influenza Symptom Report form located on the Student Portal. The intent of this online reporting tool is to give the students a single reporting location that will direct messages to their professors, housing director, food service and other appropriate departments so that the student may focus on getting better.
• Students should follow the home-care remedies recommended by the CDC, including self-isolation, fever-reducing medicine, fluids and rest. They are encouraged to contact the Campus Concordia University FluLine at (651)641-8802 or fluhotline@csp.edu for additional information and recommendations.
• Students who become ill and experience any of the following warning signs should seek immediate emergency medical care: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough.
• For more information on managing your anxiety about the H1N1 Flu, click here

To ensure that the University can assist students as effectively as possible when they are ill, students are strongly encouraged to provide the University with emergency contact information and alternate residential location information. Encourage your student to enter or update this information by logging into BEARPath on the Student Portal. Click on the Registrar tab, select Personal Date, click on Students Only, and select Submit Address/Update Personal Information.