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H1N1 flu policy
If you believe that you have the flu it is important that you not come to class and risk exposing others to the flu virus (not every flu is the H1N1 flu, but telling H1N1 apart from other types of influenza requires special tests). Thus, our normal attendance policy has been revised to reflect these exigent circumstances.
You will not be penalized for work that you miss due to flu-related absence. I do ask that you contact me as soon as you are able, either via phone (503-838-8036) or email (bledsoek@wou.edu) to let me know that you will be out of class. If possible, bring a doctor's note stating the diagnosis; however, in some communities patients with flu-like symptoms have been asked to stay home if the symptoms are mild enough rather than go to a doctor's office and expose other patients, so I will be flexible on this point.
- You will be able to download the study guides and lecture notes as usual via our course website. Email me for a version of the lecture notes with text.
- Your daily work will be excused for the period that you are absent.
- If you miss a midterm exam, you may have the option of taking an exam by email. Contact me ahead of time for arrangements.
- We will also work together with your laboratory instructor to arrange a makeup option for any laboratory activity that you miss.
If you are ill longer than one week, please contact the Vice President of Student Affairs at 503-838-8221 or email studentaffairs@wou.edu. You may contact me directly to discuss further make-up options and excused work.
The flu absence policy does not automatically apply to ordinary colds. Please contact me if you are sick with a cold and must miss class. It is better to stay home and get well than expose others to colds, so cold-related absences will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
Is it a cold or the flu?
Colds and influenza (the "flu") are caused by different viruses and usually result in different symptoms. A severe cold can sometimes resemble the flu, so initial diagnosis may be difficult. The following are typical symptoms of cold and flu as described on the Tamiflu, Centers for Disease Control, and Medline websites (this is for information only and does not constitute a diagnosis):
| Symptoms |
Cold |
Flu |
| Runny nose and sneezing |
Almost always |
Rare |
| Fever |
Rare |
Typical, about 80% of cases |
| Coughing |
Sometimes, esp. a wet cough. |
Sometimes, esp. a dry cough. |
| Sore throat |
Common |
Not typical |
| Muscle aches |
Slight |
Severe |
| Chills |
Uncommon |
Common, about 60% of cases |
| Fatigue |
Mild |
Moderate to severe |
| Headache |
Mild, usually sinus-related |
Common, often severe |
| Chest discomfort |
Mild or absent |
Common, often severe |
| Onset |
Gradual |
Usually rapid |
| Frequent vomiting and/or diarrhea with or without low fever. |
Neither. While fevers in general can cause an upset stomach and sometimes vomiting, there is no "stomach flu." These symptoms are often either the result of food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis caused by a norovirus or rotavirus. |
Your best source of information is your own doctor. Please consult your doctor or the student health center if you are ill and need a diagnosis. Also consult a doctor at the first sign of complications, such as a sinus infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
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