Montana State University

So...Your Roommate has Influenza (FLU)

College Office

Your roommate has been diagnosed with flu. What can you do to keep from getting sick yourself?

First, the symptoms of influenza are:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Muscle/joint aches
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting/diarrhea (sometimes)

Things that can help you stay well:

  • Definitely useful
    • Stay away from your roommate as much as possible (but you may need to bring them food or class work).
    • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

  • Probably useful
    • Wear a surgical mask while in your room or apartment (available at pharmacies or if you are a MSU student, the Student Health Service).
    • Use Lysol to disinfect any surfaces your roommate touches.

Preventive medications:

  • Taking Tamiflu (pills) or Relenza (inhaled spray) may help prevent influenza if you have been exposed.
  • These medications
    • Must be taken for 10 days to prevent infection.
    • Cost $67 to $88.
    • Require a prescription.
    • Side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or dizziness, each less than 10% of the time.
  • If you are a MSU student and would like to take one of these medications, contact or visit the Student Health Service (406-994-2311; 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F; 8 a.m.-11: 30 a.m. Sat). If you are not a MSU student, contact your personal physician or an Urgent Care clinic.

Additional important points:

  • Your roommate is no longer contagious when their fever has been gone (below 100ºF or 38 ºC) for 24 hours, without the use of ibuprofen (e.g. Motrin, Advil), naproxen (e.g. Aleve) or acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol).
  • If your roommate is getting sicker, encourage them to contact or return to the Student Health Service, or go to an Urgent Care clinic or Bozeman Deaconess Hospital if after hours.
  • If you become ill with the symptoms described above and are a MSU student, call the Student Health Service or go to www.montana.edu/health for recommendations. If you are not a MSU student, contact your personal physician or an Urgent Care clinic.