Hazard Guide

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Infectious Disease (alt="")

College campuses are generally “close quarters” environments. This means that sickness can spread easily across the campus community. The best way to manage an infectious disease is through prevention.

PREVENTION

Limit the spread of germ infection:

  • Stay current on vaccinations, including seasonal vaccinations, if possible.
  • Always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing. Use a tissue or your arm to cover your mouth instead of your hands.
  • Wash your hands with warm soap and water often. Always wash after using the restroom, before/after eating a meal, interacting with animals, caring for someone sick, or coughing/sneezing/blowing your nose. Washing hands is better than using a hand sanitizer, but hand sanitizer should be used if running water is unavailable.
  • Avoid direct contact with sick people. The CDC generally considers less than 3 feet direct contact.
  • Be healthy. Get plenty of sleep, drink water, exercise and eat a balanced, nutritious diet.

IF YOU GET SICK

  • Stay at your off campus residence, if possible. If you are in your residence hall, stay there and isolate yourself as best as possible. Avoid close contact with others if you go out.
    • Notify your professor as soon as possible if you are too sick for class.
  • Always dial 9-1-1 if your symptoms worsen or you think you are experiencing a medical emergency.
    • You should also contact your health care provider if you are in a high risk group or are worried about your illness.
  • Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Get plenty of rest.
  • You should stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine (CDC.gov).

When you start feeling better (UConn Student Health Services):

  • Get a new toothbrush.
  • Wash your sheets and pillow cases.
  • Give your room/apartment a good cleaning. Don’t forget surfaces like doorknobs, keyboards, etc. This will help prevent the spread of germs to your friends, family and back to you.
  • Get back to your healthy habits. Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night, exercise 3-4 times per week, manage your stress, eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and stay hydrated.

 

If an outbreak occurs on campus:

  1. Stay calm and pay close attention to University announcements and orders.
  2. Follow UConnALERT at alert.uconn.edu
  3. Have an emergency kit ready containing important items, identification, medicine and food/water.
  4. Have a plan with your family. If the campus is closed, know where you will go ahead of time.
  5. Never enter quarantined areas.
  6. If you experience any outbreak-related symptoms, as detailed by the University, call 9-1-1 immediately.

MORE INFORMATION

For disease specific information:

Influenza Information from SHS

For more information:

http://shs.uconn.edu/
www.cdc.gov
www.alert.uconn.edu
UConn Immunization Requirements
Sources:
www.cdc.gov
www.shs.uconn.edu