Pasadena City College’s Student Health Services has some important information about this season’s flu for students, faculty and staff.

According to Jo Buczko, coordinator of PCC’s Student Health Services, you should get a flu shot if you are not already ill. The rapid and severe onset of the following symptoms suggest that you have caught the flu: severe body aches, high fever, sore throat, chills, runny nose, and cough. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should stay home and rest. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent dehydration. Treat a fever and other symptoms with medicines you can buy at a store. And if there are people in your house who aren’t sick, avoid close contact with them so they don’t catch it. If you are ill, you should stay away from others for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone without the use of medicine.

Please contact your professors or supervisors immediately to inform them you are sick.

If you get very sick, are pregnant, or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk of flu complications like asthma, call your doctor. You might need antiviral medicine. If your symptoms are severe and not going away, contact your medical care provider, the Public Health Department (www.ph.lacounty.gov) or, if you are student, the PCC Student Health Services (www.pasadena.edu/healthservices).