Health and Flu Information
Peninsula College is committed to providing excellent teaching and learning opportunities for our students, faculty, staff, and the local community, but this commitment focuses on more than just excellent instructional opportunities. It also focuses on providing a safe and healthy environment for learning and community gathering. In this effort, the College is working very closely with state and county health officials and local school districts on a robust awareness and prevention campaign for this year’s flu season.
Currently, several strains of flu are circulating in the United States and around the world, most notably the H1N1 (swine) flu and the seasonal flu. On April 25th, the World Health Organization declared H1N1 a public health emergency. It is a Category 1 flu, the least severe category rating and this is a reflection of its propensity to spread rather than the severity of the virus. If you happen to get sick with either the seasonal flu or H1N1, don’t panic; Peninsula College is here to help you.
- First and foremost, if you feel sick – stay home! And allow yourself to get better to ensure that you don’t get anyone else sick.
- Contact your instructors, and they will work with you while you are out of class. Do not drop your classes because you are sick.
- Even if you feel better, don’t return to school or work unless at least 24 hours have passed without a fever and you did not take any fever-reducing medication.
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 Know the Difference between Cold and Swine Flu Symptoms
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Symptom
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Cold
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Flu
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Fever
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Fever is rare with a cold.
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Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
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Coughing
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A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.
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A nonproductive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
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Aches
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Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.
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Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
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Stuffy Nose
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Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.
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Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
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Chills
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Chills are uncommon with a cold.
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60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
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Tiredness
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Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.
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Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
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Sneezing
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Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.
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Sneezing is not common with the flu.
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Sudden Symptoms
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Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.
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The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
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Headache
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A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.
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A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
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Sore Throat
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Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.
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Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu..
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Chest Discomfort
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Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.
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Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.
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Informational Documents (PDF)
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Vacination Information
Who should get the H1N1 vaccine?
- Pregnant women
- Individuals who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months old
- Health care and emergency medical personnel
- Individuals with ages ranging from 6 months to 24 years of age
- Individuals ages 25 to 64 years of age who have medical conditions
Who should get the seasonal flu vaccine?
For more information, questions and suggestions, please contact Stephanie Supko, Emergency Management Coordinator.
Peninsula College
(360) 417-7969
ssupko@pencol.edu