Health and Psychological Counseling Services

Notices

H1N1 Virus (Swine Flu) Advisory

Most Recent Update

Additional Information and Updates

Campus community,

Recent news of Swine Flu cases in San Diego has raised public concern about the safety of persons congregating in small air spaces for extended periods of time. We know that the Swine Flu recently arose in Mexico and the U.S. and that the confirmed current cases are genetically related. The Swine Flu will usually cause a respiratory illness with fever above 100 degrees F, sore throat, cough, body aches, headache, and chills. Some people may also experience vomiting and diarrhea. In some persons, pneumonia, respiratory failure and even death have occurred. Recent reports seem to indicate that children and young adults are most likely the age group affected by this Swine Flu outbreak.

The recent influenza virus vaccinations we received in 2008 and 2009 do not offer protection against the Swine Flu. There is no "cure" for Swine Flu however, preventative measures practiced judiciously, are effective against contracting Swine Flu. As a College Community, we need to ramp up our efforts to educate ourselves about preventative measures each of us can take and pass that education along to our coworkers, students and volunteers.

Student Health Services has been working for three years with both the VP of Administration and the VPSS office to ensure that all planning efforts were made to prevent the transmission of flu virus on our campus. We encourage you to read carefully the steps that you can take to assist in our Swine Flu prevention plan:

  1. If you have flu symptoms including a fever (above 100 degrees F) with a cough or sore throat, please go to Student Health Services for a free Swine Flu test. The nasal swab test is free for all students, volunteers, staff and faculty. Students may also receive medical treatment however, we are unable to treat staff, volunteers and faculty.
  2. The flu virus is often spread when your hands become contaminated and you then put your hands in your mouth, nose or eyes. If someone in your classroom or area is sick with a fever and sore throat or cough, please remind them to cover their cough with a couple layers of paper towels. When the paper towels become wet, they should be placed in the trash.
  3. Since the flu may be contagious before the symptoms are present, all coughs and sneezes should be covered with either the inner elbow (covered with a sleeve) or paper towels. If a person sneezes or coughs into their hand, the hands should be washed with warm soapy water for the length of time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" or use a hand sanitizer.
  4. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer before eating and after coughing or sneezing. Our VP of Administration, Ron Perez, has gratefully placed 34 Purell hand sanitizer stations throughout the campus. The Purell hand sanitizer stations are monitored weekly by the Student Health Peer Educator team. If you find one of the stations empty, you may obtain a Purell filler bag from the stockroom or call x 2545 for assistance.
  5. If someone in your classroom or area is ill with a fever, sore throat and/or cough, strong consideration should be given to their release to go home or to an area where they work alone. The flu virus often spreads through the air when flu infected person coughs or sneezes. Masks can sometimes prevent the transmission of the flu however, as the mask becomes moist, it has to be replaced. Only certain types of masks that are well fitted can actually prevent a well person from getting the flu from a sick person.
  6. Absolutely all persons with a fever, cough and/or sore throat should be encouraged to remain at home until the fever has resolved for 24 hours (see attached email alert). On their return to work/school, they should be advised to bring a personal hand sanitizer along with paper towels for their cough/sneeze.
  7. Ensure that you are doing everything possible to keep your immune system healthy: eat a well balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, get 6-8 hours of sleep per night, exercise regularly and take supplemental Vitamin C if advised by your health provider.

I will be in contact with the Department of Health frequently and I will let you know if there are any further developments. If you have any questions or concerns, please email or call (ext 2545).

Suzanne Khambata RN, MSN, FNP
Director, Student Health Services L 504