<p>My son is a freshman this year at USC. Two days ago he catch a flu. He just call me from University health Center
he may have a pneumonia
I am in IL and could not just go to see him. What is the current flu situation in the campus? I am worry so much
</p>
<p>So sorry he has the flu, but you can rest assured that he at least is seeing a doctor, and USC seems very well prepared to deal with the flu season. Here’s a page with some info (though I’m not suggesting your son’s is H1N1, I’m sure you’re worried about that possibility): [Campus</a> Safety and Emergency Preparedness](<a href=“http://emergencyprep.usc.edu/h1n1/]Campus”>http://emergencyprep.usc.edu/h1n1/) Be sure to click through to the August 18th letter for details on treatment approaches.</p>
<p>I read recently that the dining service can deliver flu-appropriate meals to students on campus, so you might consider that. There’s a parents forum thread on “my daughter has flu symptoms” which reassured me that most kids getting the flu on college campuses are not feeling horribly ill, and recover quickly. I hope your son does too!</p>
<p>I’m a mom too and mine was sick last week so I understand how you may feel but please don’t worry (I know that is easier said than done.) It is very common for students to get sick because of the close proximately of living quarters. He did the right thing by going to the Health Center and they will take care of him. Stay in contact with him and make sure he follows the treatment the way the Health Center tells him. If he gets any worse and the Health Center is closed, he should have someone take him to Good Samaritan Hospital or Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. </p>
<p>My son is fine now. Yours will be OK too.</p>
<p>If you continue to be very worried, I suggest you call your son’s resident advisor in his dormitory. You can ask the resident advisor to visit your son and see if he needs anything (hot tea, water) and check on his progress.</p>
<p>I have been told that Hillel will deliver chicken soup to kids. I am not sure whether they ask for membership. But, mother to mother, he will get better. You, however, will have sleepless nights until he is all better. It is in the parent handbook. We have excellent medical facilities here in Los Angeles. He asked for care, which is so mature of him. And the RA idea is an excellent one.</p>
<p>I was one of the first one’s to catch the flu. I got flu-like symptoms during the first week of school, but didn’t actually got sick and got over it in a few days. More people got sick last week, and this week seems like half the campus is sick!</p>
<p>Flu (both regular and swine) has been rampant in the last few weeks…we had about 1/3 of the band out of commission earlier this semester because of it.</p>
<p>Last year there was an outbreak of norovirus. About 300 students were quite sick and pretty well incapacitated during their illness. (The same thing happened at Georgetown). USC sprang into action with many protocols in order to contain the virus as it was very contagious. It worked out well and USC’s proactivity, in conjunction with the LA health department, resulted in the virus being controlled. </p>
<p>The 'flu is more common among students in close contact and probably wouldn’t merit the same kind of extreme action unless it gets a lot worse, but I’m mentioning last year’s situation in order to reassure you that USC does take measures regarding any serious outbreaks.</p>
<p>For now, your son will be well taken care of and if he does have pneumonia, more so. Try not to worry too much. I do hope he recovers quickly.</p>
<p>My roommate had a confirmed case of H1N1</p>
<p>Thank you so much for advices! The good news about my son is that is not a pneumonia. They did a X-Ray and the say it only a flu. He still has a high fever and his breathing is not good – 4th day today. I am waiting this morning to hear from him. He is very skinny and does not have reserves to fight the viruses. I hope that they will be a friends there that can help him it this situation. I wish these viruses to be go way soon!</p>
<p>nchalakova, I’m glad to hear your son does not have pneumonia. Also that the health clinic did not at first dismiss his illness as just a flu but had an Xray done to make sure. That proves that students receive good care at the health clinic.
I’m sure his roommates are helping out. Did he also talk to his RA on his floor?
I hope he feels better soon and improves quickly.</p>
<p>We were worry this morning because he did not picking up his phone … and we call the building and they were able to get him up.
He called me back and said he is a little better today but very weak and it is hard to go to cafeteria … he has to learn how to leave without parent’s help around him. This is a reality …</p>
<p>Try to tell the Resident Advisor to get your son plenty of fluids (water, hot tea, soda). If his doctor told him to take Tylenol for reducing his fever, make sure he has it available. I hope your son has a speedy recovery.</p>
<p>I still don’t know who is his RA. How can I find the contact info? My son still got a temperature again on Saturday night … I am not sure he can go back to the classes today.</p>
<p>If he still has a fever, he should stay home and not go to classes. Most teachers will understand; it’s better to isolate yourself than get the entire class sick.</p>
<p>Call the front desk of your son’s dorm. Explain that your son is very sick with the flu and that you are looking to speak to the Resident Advisor (RA) on his floor. Give your son’s room number and they will trace who the RA is on your son’s floor. You can call the main number of USC and ask to be transferred to your son’s dorm.</p>
<p>Thank you everybody! Today is a week since my son has been sick. Last night I talked with him and he did not have a fever anymore but the cough is very bad.
His plan was to return to classes today. He already missed 4 days and will be very difficult to catch up. I hope he will get some help for the lectures that he missed.
I fill better now
Stay healthy everybody!</p>
<p>nchalakova, very glad to hear that your son is doing a bit better. I’m sure you feel more relieved. The flu can last for quite a while so this is good news. I do hope he can get some help from other students or the class TA regarding the material he has missed. Best of luck to him.</p>
<p>Tell your son to visit his professor/s and TAs during office hours. Explain why he missed class and ask for missing information. Many students, especially freshman, are wary of visiting professors. This is wrong. Go. Meet. Greet. They will, especially with a one on one conference, be very happy to assist your son in catching up.</p>
<p>Here’s how to find the RA: [USC</a> ResEd - Contact Us](<a href=“http://sait.usc.edu/ResEd/Contact.aspx]USC”>http://sait.usc.edu/ResEd/Contact.aspx)</p>
<p>I would recommend calling the number for the general Residential Education desk and asking for them to contact his RA. The front desks of dorms actually aren’t connected to the RAs, technically. You can also ask your son if he knows the Duty Number for his RA- it should be posted prominently on the RA’s doorn, and he was supposed to enter it into his phone in the next week. Sorry for not responding sooner, I’m not watching this forum as much anymore…</p>