Cedar Crest College administration and health officials are closely monitoring the influenza virus. The College works closely with our local hospitals and with the Allentown Health Bureau to monitor all communicable diseases. There is an Emergency Response Plan for our college community. During a pandemic event, we will contact the Allentown Health Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for further guidance.

If you experience flu-like symptoms, students should contact Cedar Crest College Health Services at 610-606-4640. Staff and faculty members should contact their family physician.

Additional information on the flu can be found at: www.cdc.gov.

If you have flu-like symptoms, you should not attend classes. The Health Center staff requests that you call for an appointment at 610-606-4640, and let them know you are concerned about the flu.

A student who is absent from classes for illness must contact Student Affairs by filling out the Absence Notification Form found at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CedarCrestCollege&layout_id=3. If the student requests that instructors be notified, Student Affairs will send an absence notice. Faculty members who receive such notification should understand that notification signifies that the information given by the student is credible; the notification does not exempt students from any of their course requirements. Faculty members should develop policies for excusing students who miss class or coursework for reasons beyond their control and should inform students about these policies. This may include alternate assignments.

If you are participating in a Study Abroad program, you should contact the provider for that program. The CDC or the World Health Organization can provide information on the status of confirmed cases of the flu in other countries.

Q: What is Cedar Crest College doing about Influenza?
A: Cedar Crest College administration and health officials are closely monitoring influenza virus infection. Cedar Crest College works closely with our local hospitals and with the Allentown Health Bureau to monitor all communicable diseases. There is an Emergency Response Plan for our college community. During a pandemic event, we will contact the Allentown Health Bureau and the Pennsylvania Department of Health for further guidance.

Q: What should I do if I think I have the flu?
A: Please visit “Symptoms” for more information. If you experience flu-like symptoms, students should contact Cedar Crest College Health Services at 610-606-4640. Staff and faculty members should contact their family physician. Additional information on the flu can be found at: www.cdc.gov.

Q: How can I protect myself from the flu?
A: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you do have the flu, stay home from work or school.

Q: What if I am sick and cannot attend class or complete other academic requirements?
A: If you have flu-like symptoms, you should not attend classes. The Health Center staff requests that you call for an appointment at 610-606-4640, and let them know you are concerned about the flu.

A student who is absent from classes for illness must contact Student Affairs by filling out the Absence Notification Form found at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CedarCrestCollege&layout_id=3. If the student requests that instructors be notified, Student Affairs will send an absence notice. Faculty members who receive such notification should understand that notification signifies that the information given by the student is credible; the notification does not exempt students from any of their course requirements. Faculty members should develop policies for excusing students who miss class or coursework for reasons beyond their control and should inform students about these policies. This may include alternate assignments.

Q: Will Cedar Crest College still hold athletic and campus events?
A: At this time, Cedar Crest is operating as normal.  In the event of a pandemic, campus events may be postponed or canceled.  This is a preventative measure.

Q: Will Cedar Crest College still encourage study abroad trips?
A:  Study Abroad program will still be offered. If you are participating in a non-Cedar Crest College program, you should contact the provider for that program if you have questions or concerns.

Q: How will Cedar Crest College communicate information about Influenza?
A: Cedar Crest College will communicate important updates via e-mail from university administration as well as through its Web site and/or MyCedarCrest.

If you are well:

• Clean your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick whenever possible.
• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Get adequate sleep and good nutrition. Do not smoke or drink excessive alcohol.
• Do not share food or drinks.

If you become ill:

• Students, faculty or staff who live either on or off campus and who have ILI (Influenza Like Illness) should self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) in their residence hall room or home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities (their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine). They should keep away from others as much as possible. This is to keep from making others sick.
• Families who are able to should consider bringing their ill students home to recuperate until at least 24 hours after the fever breaks.
• Those diagnosed will influenza should wear a face mask while in the presence of others. This can be provided by the Health and Wellness Center.
• Students who must miss class due to influenza should contact their professors about making up work.
• If students are ill and must remain in their rooms, they should select a classmate to collect academic work along with food and beverages.

Protection from the Flu

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• If you do have the flu, stay home from work or school.

• A fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater)
• AND a cough and/or a sore throat

Students should call the Health and Wellness Center for an appointment 610-606-4640. You will be evaluated and possibly tested for influenza. If emergency medical attention is needed beyond the Health Center hours, students are advised to call Campus Security by dialing “0” if you are on campus. If you are off campus dial your local emergency number. Faculty and Staff should contact their primary care physicians.

Confirmed Flu

• For fever, pain, or general sick feeling, take acetaminophen (Tylenol-650 mg. every 4 hours or 1000 mg. every 6 hours), or ibuprofen (Advil- or Motrin 400 mg. every 4 hours). Ibuprofen must be taken with food. Tylenol may be alternated every 2 hours with Advil. (For example, 2 tablets Tylenol at 10 a.m., 2 Advil at noon, 2 Tylenol at 2 p.m. and so on.)
• To keep your throat moist, increase your fluid intake (i.e. Gatorade and tea). If it is difficult to swallow solid foods, nourishment can be maintained with gelatin desserts, fruit juices, ice cream, etc. Warm fluids often feel better than cold fluids.
• Lozenges such as Cepacol or Sucrets may make you feel better. Hard candies may also be soothing.
• Get extra rest.
• For nasal congestion, an over-the-counter medicine such as Sudafed is advised.
• For cough, an over-the-counter cough syrup that contains dextromethorphan can suppress your cough.
• Students with medical conditions (i.e. asthma, diabetes, cardiac disease) should start antiviral medication as soon as possible and definitely within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Health and Wellness Center staff can provide prescriptions.
• Do not take any medications to which you have a known allergy.