Yale Health

Flu Information

Flu Shot Information

Yale staff, faculty, students and Yale Health members ages 18 and older can get a flu shot in the Preventive Health Department on the 2nd floor of the Yale Health Center, 55 Lock St., Monday-Friday from 8:30 am-4:30 pm.  No appointment is necessary.

Pediatric patients must call the Pediatrics Department at 203-432-0206 to make an appointment for a flu shot.

If You Become Ill

For most otherwise healthy adults and children who develop influenza-like illness, defined as fever over 100 F (37.8 C) and cough and/or sore throat in the absence of other explanation, we do NOT recommend that you come to the Yale Health Center as your symptoms will likely resolve over the course of a few days and specific anti-viral treatment is not recommended in most cases. Staying at home reduces the risk of spreading the disease to others at the health center that may be vulnerable.

  • Stay home or in your dorm room until 24 hours after the fever has resolved.

  • Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing and discard the tissue right away. WASH YOUR HANDS after touching used tissues and similar waste. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

  • Wash your hands frequently. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are effective.

  • Take over-the-counter medications for the relief of symptoms (fever, headache, body aches and pains) as needed such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, and Nuprin®). A cough medication such as Mucinex® or Robitussin® might be helpful.

  • Do not take aspirin and medications that contain aspirin (such as Alka-Seltzer®, Pepto-Bismol® and various cold medications) when you have the flu if you are 18 years old or younger.

  • A warm salt water gargle (1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt to a cup of warm tap water) in the morning and at bedtime might be helpful for a sore throat.

  • Rest as much as possible – but bed rest is not necessary.

  • Drink an adequate amount of clear liquids (such as water, broth, sport drinks, soda, apple juice, tea or Jell-O) to prevent dehydration. You should drink at least 3 liters (3 quarts) per day.

Individuals with the following conditions may be at higher risk and should call Yale Health Center if flu-like symptoms develop:

  • Significant heart or lung disease, any autoimmune diseases, kidney failure, HIV, or other chronic conditions

  • On chemotherapy for cancer or taking an immunosuppressant medication like prednisone

  • Over age 65 or under age 2

  • Currently pregnant or within 2 weeks of giving birth

  • Morbidly obese (body mass index over 40)

  • Living in a chronic care facility

Otherwise healthy individuals with the following symptoms should also call Yale Health Center:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

  • Coughing that hurts your chest

  • High temperature (greater than 101 F, 38 C) that does not respond to medication

  • Confusion

  • Sudden dizziness

  • Flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever or worse cough

  • Severe or persistent vomiting and/or diarrhea

Internal Medicine 203-432-0038
Pediatrics 203-432-0206
Student Health 203-432-0312
Acute Care (after hours, weekends and holidays) 203-432-0123