Pratt Institute

With the flu season upon us and the start of the spring semester, here are some important information about staying healthy from Pratt Health & Counseling. This information is beneficial for students as well as parent and family members.

Preventative Strategies to Minimize the Impact of Influenza on campus:

Vaccination

• Seasonal Flu vaccine is now available to students only, at no cost.  Approximately 200 students have taken the flu shot at Pratt Health and Counseling the first week of the spring semester.
• The latest vaccine recommendations can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

Precautions and Hygiene

• Cover your mouth when you cough, either with your sleeve or a tissue or handkerchief.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with fever and either a cough or sore throat, STAY HOME OR IN YOUR ROOM AT THE RESIDENCE HALL for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medicine. (see here for home isolation instructions for persons with fever and cough.)
• Stay away from clinics and hospitals unless you have severe symptoms, and notify your doctor or the clinic before you arrive, or as soon as you arrive, that you have a fever and respiratory symptoms so that you can be appropriately isolated from others.
• If you become ill with influenza-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, cough, runny nose, sore throat, or nausea, you may not need to see a health professional if your symptoms are mild. When in doubt, call your personal health professional or the Pratt Health and Counseling Center at (718) 399-4542, or consult the health and Counseling web site at http://www.pratt.edu/health for the latest advice and guidance. The vast majority of people who become ill have mild to moderate severity and recover fully in a week or less, without any medical intervention. However, if you are ill with flu and are pregnant or have any chronic illness, please call your personal health professional or the Health and Counseling Center right away.
• If you are ill, DO NOT go to class or to work. You should stay home or in your room at the residence hall and avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. You should NOT return to work or attend class until your fever is gone for a full day (24 hours) without the use of fever-reducing medicine. This also applies if you plan to use public transportation to return home or travel.

Medical services at Pratt Health and Counseling are provided without additional charge to all students including full-time and part-time students, regardless of insurance coverage. However, students are responsible for lab fees not covered by their insurance. Medical services are provided by Nurse Practitioners, a Registered Nurse, and a consulting doctor. Students are by appointment as well as a walk-in basis. Regular hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday - Thursday; 10am to 5pm, Friday. Walk-in/emergencies are on Monday-Wednesday from 9-11 and 12-3, Thursdays from 9-11 and 1-3, and Fridays from 10-12 and 1-3.

Information is provided by Pratt Health and Counseling. For more information, please visit their site: http://www.pratt.edu/student_life/student_services/health_counseling/health_services/h1n1/