Flu FAQs

Each of us plays a critical role in keeping our campus safe and healthy. Students and employees are encouraged to use these FAQs and other resources on the Flu Preparedness and Student Health Center web sites to learn how to prevent the spread of the influenza virus, what you do if you are ill, and who to contact for assistance.

If you have questions not addressed by these FAQs, please email questions to flu-info@linfield.edu or contact the Student Health Center at 503-883-2535.

How can I prevent the spread of the flu?

The best prevention for all types of influenza is to receive flu immunizations. See “Immunizations” below. In addition, adopt these effective preventative measures:

• Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and warm water are unavailable.
• Sanitize hard surfaces such as tables, desks and door knobs frequently. You can use household disinfecting wipes or spray disinfectants that kill bacteria and viruses.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands.
• Practice social distancing by avoiding large groups and contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home when you are ill – protecting others and accelerating your recovery.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Should I get immunized?

Yes, the best prevention for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza is to receive flu immunizations. See “Immunizations,” below.

Immunizations – Seasonal Flu

If you’ve not yet received a seasonal flu shot, consider doing so. The Student Health Center on the McMinnville Campus offered immunizations in early September, and has some vaccine still available, which will be provided to students, faculty and staff and dependents ages 18 and older. The cost is $30.

All Linfield College Portland Campus students, faculty and staff (with a valid Linfield ID) are eligible to get free seasonal flu vaccine with Legacy Health Systems. Legacy is providing five 24-hour vaccination clinics to the public in the Portland metro area. In order to receive your seasonal flu vaccine free you must have your Linfield ID with you. If you would like a free seasonal flu vaccine please make note of the vaccination clinic most convenient for you and plan accordingly.

• Salmon Creek, Oct. 14, 6 a.m.-2 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.
• Good Samaritan, Oct. 16, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Emanuel Hospital, Oct. 20, 6 a.m.-6 a.m. (24-hour clinic)
• Mt. Hood Medical Center, Oct. 22, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Meridan Park Hospital, Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

Employees who have coverage through the Pioneer Educators Health Trust (PEHT) may obtain a receipt to submit for reimbursement through their health insurance. Employees who participate in the medical Flex Spending Account plan may submit any portion not covered by their health care insurance to Flex for reimbursement. To request reimbursement through PEHT, contact Human Resources. Flex Spending Account reimbursement forms are available on the HR web page and in the Human Resources Office.

Flu shots are also available through employees’ health care providers.

 Immunizations – H1N1 Flu

The vaccine for the H1N1 virus is different from the one for regular seasonal flu. The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in mid-October. In partnership with the Yamhill County Public Health Department, the Student Health Center will administer doses to the Linfield Community. We expect H1N1 vaccines to be available free of charge.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

How can I tell if I have the flu?

The symptoms of both seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus are similar, including a sudden onset of fever or chills AND a cough or sore throat. Symptoms may also include a runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea or vomiting.

Influenza A and H1N1

H1N1 is a strain of influenza A. A rapid influenza test is available at most clinics and its use and value are determined on a case-by-case basis. Testing for H1N1 is expensive and very few laboratories do the test. The Centers for Disease Control and the State Health Division recommends testing for H1N1 only for patients sick enough to be hospitalized. Therefore testing for the H1N1 subtype is extremely limited. Because we do not believe seasonal influenza has arrived in the northern part of the country yet, all influenza A illness is presumed to be H1N1.  The management approach is the same regardless of the subtype of influenza; isolation of the ill patient, good hand washing, cover your mouth if you cough, and known close contacts of the ill person should contact their health care provider to consider prophylactic antiviral therapy.

Where can I go if I think I might have the flu?

McMinnville students – Please contact the Student Health Center in 105 Walker Hall, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, and 12:30 to 3 p.m. After hours, students may contact the Physicians Medical Center at 503-472-6161, McMinnville Immediate Care, 503-435-1077, or Willamette Valley Medical Center (hospital), 503-472-6131.

Portland students – Please contact Legacy Ambulatory Care - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, 503-413-8090

Employees – Please contact your health care provider or local urgent care facility.

What should I do if I get sick with the flu?

Ill students and employees are advised to stay home (or in their residence hall rooms) for at least 24 hours after the fever subsides (without use of fever-reducing medicine). Individuals who are ill with the flu should not leave their homes or residence hall rooms except to get medical care. Do seek medical attention if your condition worsens.

Avoid Contact with Others

If you do leave your house or residence hall room while you are contagious in order to obtain medical care, wear a facemask to prevent the spread of the virus. Facemasks are available to students from their Resident Advisors. In general, you should avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness, especially people at increased risk of severe illness from influenza.

Protect Yourself and Your Community

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
• Use alcohol-based hand cleaners if soap and water are unavailable. It’s effective, but not as effective as hand-washing. 
• If you are sick and share a common space with others, wear a facemask. Facemasks are available to students from their Resident Advisors.

Who should I contact if I have been diagnosed with the flu?

McMinnville Campus: McMinnville students are asked to contact the Student Health Center at (503-883-2535), even if you go to a health care provider off-campus. Contacting the Student Health Center will help us monitor the flu on campus. Notify your RA if you live in college housing via e-mail or phone.

Portland Campus: Portland students are asked to notify Lisa Burch at 503-413-7561.

All students: Please contact your professors and coaches to notify them IF YOU ARE diagnosed with the flu and will miss classes, practices or games.

Employees: Please notify your supervisor that you are ill with the flu. If unable to reach your supervisor, contact Human Resources at hr@linfield.edu or call 503-883-2627. Please do not come to work if you are ill.

What should I do if my roommate has the flu?

Contact your Resident Advisor to get disinfectant materials to reduce germs in your room. It is important to disinfect shared surfaces often, such as computers, tables, and door knobs.  Continue to practice preventative actions such as washing your hands frequently and proper cough etiquette (coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your sleeve, not your hands).  Roommates should consider wearing a mask when around the ill person. Roommates should call the Student Health Center (503-883-2535) or their primary care provider, to be evaluated for preventive therapy. 

What college services are provided to students who have the flu?

The Student Health Center (and Legacy Ambulatory Services for Portland Campus students) can evaluate, test and prescribe medications and give appropriate self-care information to students with flu symptoms. The Student Health Center has a large supply of facemasks to help prevent the spread of germs.

• Basic food service will be available for Portland Campus Loveridge Hall residents sick with the flu. Please contact your RA if you need assistance.
• Food service will also be available for on-campus students in McMinnville who are sick with the flu.
• If you are self-isolating, notify your Resident Advisor or Area Director via e-mail or phone. Then designate a roommate or other person that can pick up a one-day meal pack at Dillin and bring it back to you in your room. Be prepared to give them your name, ID number and any dietary restrictions.
• Dining Services will make meals for one day consisting of (sample) breakfast-yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, bagel; lunch-sandwich, soup, chips, cookie, juice; dinner- microwavable entrée, salad, dessert and beverage.
• If you are having problems obtaining food, contact Dining Services directly at sodex@linfield.edu or call Dining Service Director Bill Masullo @ 503-583-0927.
• Disinfectant supplies such as spray cleaner and hand sanitizer are available on campus. Students in residence halls can ask their Resident Advisor for cleaning materials for their rooms.

What should I do if my employee has the flu?

Please urge your employee to stay home for as long as he or she is contagious (until 24 hours after fever subsidies with the aid of fever-reducing medication). If your employee calls in sick with the flu, please notify Human Resources to assist with our monitoring efforts.

Consider providing extra disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and spray disinfectant around the office for employees to clean areas that may get touched frequently, such as door knobs or public counters. This will help reduce the spread of germs. To obtain extra disinfectant supplies, contact Facilities at 503-883-2690.