University Health Service (UHS)
Health Promotion Office
What to do if your roommate is exhibiting flu-like symptoms.
- Don't Panic— Having an ill roommate does not mean you will get the flu.
- Ask your roommate if he/she has called University Health Service. UHS tracks the progress of ill students via a secure database that is shared between leading health and safety officers at the University. For this and other reasons, it is critical that all sick students keep in close communication with UHS. If UHS hasn't been contacted, you can call them yourself.
- Be supportive. Ill students are required to stay in their room, so offering to pick up food, a surgical mask, and anything else that your roommate needs is a huge help (you can bring your roommate's ID, just let the cashier know why you are using it). Respect your roommate's need for peace and quiet. If your friend has the flu, know that this might not be a good time for visitors — try calling instead.
- Ask your roommate to wear a surgical mask. Masks are available from your RA and UHS and should be worn by sick students anytime others are near and when leaving the room. Wearing a mask will not prevent you from breathing in virus particles, but having your roommate wear one with prevent him/her from spreading such particles in the room.
- Follow all of the above tips on staying healthy. Especially when living in close contact with somebody who is sick, good hygiene practices are essential.
- If you have a medical condition such as asthma or diabetes that puts you at higher risk of complications from the flu, contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 and talk with the nurse about your situation.
Stay Up-to-Date
For more information, contact Linda Dudman in the UHS Health Promotion Office at (585) 273-5770 or ldudman@uhs.rochester.edu
Please send questions about the technical structure/operation to the UHS Web Master
Last modified: Thursday, 26-May-2011 16:40:35 EDT