ILI (Influenza-Like Illness)

Definition

Influenza-like illness (ILI), also known as acute respiratory infection (ARI) and flu-like syndrome/symptoms, is a medical diagnosis of possible influenza or other illness causing a set of common symptoms.

What to do?

  • Self Isolate – Stay in your room with the door shut.
  • Avoid being within two meters of household members.
  • If not possible to have your own bathroom, do not share towels, bar soap, etc.
  • Try to get housemates (or an RA if on campus) to bring food - on disposable utensils - to your room.
  • If you need items at the drugstore, get a friend to run the errand for you.
  • Don’t have visitors in your room or home.
  • Cover your mouth & nose when you sneeze or cough. Use a tissue or the bend of your elbow.
  • Clean your hands often. Use an alcohol hand rub if you can’t use soap and water.
  • Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke.
  • Get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids – (such as water, broth, and electrolyte beverages)
  • Gargle with warm salt water, use throat lozenges, saline nose drops, and a cool mist humidifier as needed. You may take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for fever, headache, or body aches.

Remain isolated until your fever is gone for 24 hours without the use of fever medications and you feel well enough to resume your normal daily activities – that could take 7 days.

For Any of the Following Symptoms

Go to Guelph General Hospital Emergency Room immediately and put on a mask upon arrival. Call 911 if you cannot get there on your own.

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest pain
  • Bluish lips
  • Vomiting with difficulty keeping liquids down
  • Dizziness when standing (possible sign of dehydration)
  • No urine output
  • No tears when crying (child)
  • Seizure
  • Less responsive, confused
  • Flu symptoms have improved, then return with fever & worse cough

Avoid public transportation. If you must take public transportation to get medical assistance, use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. Also try to position yourself where you are facing the back of other riders' heads.