|
Influenza A H1N1 (Swine Flu) Resources and FAQs
|
|
Fight
the Flu Flier (above)
Wash
Your Hands PDF
What Everyone Can Do to Stay Healthy
- Stay informed. The CDC web site will be updated regularly
as information becomes available.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person
through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough
or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use
it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners
are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread
that way.
- Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you
stay home from work or school and limit contact with others
to keep from infecting them.
- Follow public health advice regarding school closures,
avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
- Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This
should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks,
alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
Handouts
Other Helpful Links
|
|
Campus Resources
Important Quick Links
Background
The 2009 H1N1 flu outbreak is now responsible for the increasing, but
still limited, number of influenza-like illnesses we are experiencing
on campus. The campus’ Pandemic Flu Preparedness Team, led by
medical and public health experts at University Health Services (UHS)
and School of Public Health, is monitoring the situation with local,
state and federal health officials.
Flu Vaccine Update 11/19/09
Seasonal and H1N1 vaccines by appointment Monday November 23
Seasonal Flu Shots (open to the community) and H1N1 Flu Shots (for high priority groups only)
By appointment Monday, November 23
10am-4pm, by appointment only
WHERE: Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way
Call 510/643-7177 to make an appointment. See costs and payment methods here.
Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic December 2
Our next Seasonal Flu Shot Clinic will be held Wednesday December 2 from 12noon-6pm. No appointment needed. Open to all adults.
WHERE: Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way, 1st floor. See costs and payment methods here.
Click here for more details, FAQs and updates on the 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I
think I may have the flu. What should I do?
The most common symptoms of flu illnesses are the sudden onset of high
fever, cough, and fatigue. Headaches and body aches often accompany
these. Less frequently, patients may experience runny nose, sore throat,
nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea. What to do?
- Follow self-care instructions.
- If you have an underlying condition that may make flu complications
more likely (e.g. asthma, diabetes, immune suppression, or any form
or heart, liver, or lung disease) you should contact your health care
provider by phone to discuss whether or not you should receive additional
treatment. (UCB Students may call the UHS advice nurse at (510) 643-7197
if they have questions about their underlying conditions may affect
the flu).
- Fortunately, most people with H1N1 have a mild to moderate illness
and recover without ever needing to see a medical provider. See
self-care instructions.
- If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs,
seek emergency medical care:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Fever greater than 103-104 degrees not responding to medication
I think my roommate might have the flu.
What should I do?
The roommate should follow the current recommendations
for treatment.
If you are well, practice these healthy habits to stay well:
I'm a parent, and my son/daughter is sick.
What should I do? What if my son/daughter's roommate is sick?
Advise your son/daughter to follow recommendations on this web page
if they are ill or if their roommate
is ill. The severity of H1N1 illness is similar to regular seasonal
flu. In individuals who have no underlying medical conditions that make
complications from the flu more likely, most H1N1 illness is mild to
moderate, and most patients recover quickly without ever needing to
see a medical provider; see self-care
instructions. If your son or daughter has an underlying medical
condition such as asthma, diabetes, immune suppression, or any form
or heart, liver, or lung disease, they should call the UHS advice nurse
at (510) 643-7197 to discuss if any additional treatment recommendations
are necessary.
I'm faculty, what should I do if a student
is sick?
If a student is sick, he/she should stay home and avoid contact with
other people as much as possible to keep from spreading the illness
to others. Because the H1N1 virus is now so widespread within the community,
there is no need to contact others or make an announcement that someone
in your class has been diagnosed with H1N1. Ill students are advised
to follow recommendations on this web page. The CDC recommends that
faculty not require a medical form for absences due to flu-like illnesses,
as most ill patients are recommended to recover at home with self-care
instead of seeking medical attention.
A co-worker, or classmate, went home sick
with possible H1N1 swine flu. What should I do?
You should respond the same way that you would if your classmate or
co-worker had an ordinary seasonal flu. No extraordinary actions are
recommended at this time for healthy people who have been exposed to
the H1N1 virus, aside from the basic prevention measures. You should
come to work or go to class as usual. Follow
the latest advice for protecting yourself, your family and your community
from the H1N1 flu.
When will flu shots be available?
Limited supplies of the H1N1 and seasonal flu shots are available. Click here for details.
What are the symptoms of H1N1?
The symptoms of H1N1 may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Nasal congestion
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
- Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with
H1N1
H1N1 may be more severe in patients
that are pregnant or those with chronic medical conditions such
as:
- Age less than 12 years old or 65 years or older
- Chronic respiratory disease that requires regular medication
- Significant cardiovascular disease (not just hypertension)
- Immuno-compromised due to treatment or disease
- Diabetes mellitus
What can I do to protect
myself from getting sick?
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs
that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these steps to
protect your health:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands afterward.
- Most importantly, wash your hands often with soap and water, especially
after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to reduce the spread of
germs.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
For more information, visit the CDC
flu prevention page.
I'm a student worried about H1N1.
Do I need to seek medical care?
If you have symptoms of flu and have concerns, please call the Advice
Nurse at (510)643-7197 for consultation rather than coming into Tang
in
person or scheduling an appointment.
In general, if you are not experiencing severe symptoms (high fever,
difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea
or dehydration), you may be advised that your symptoms are best managed
with home care.
How serious is H1N1 infection?
Although H1N1 has been declared a pandemic because of the number of
cases worldwide, so far the virus is mild-moderate and not much different
than the regular seasonal flu.
How do you catch H1N1?
Spread of H1N1 can occur in two ways:
- Through contact with infected pigs or environments contaminated
with H1N1 viruses.
- Through contact with a person with H1N1. Influenza is thought to
spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected
people.
You cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.
Are there medicines to treat
H1N1?
Antibiotics are not effective against viruses such as influenza. There
are some antiviral medicines (such as Tamiflu) that are given only to
those with severe medical conditions. These medicines merely shorten
the illness by a day or two, and are most effective if given early in
the course of illness. Antivirals are not recommended for the general
population.
How long should a
person with flu-like symptoms stay away from others?
CDC recommends that people with influenza-like illness remain at home
until at least 24 hours after they are free of fever (100° F [37.8°C]),
or signs of a fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
This is a change from the previous recommendation that ill persons
stay home for 7 days after illness onset or until 24 hours after the
resolution of symptoms, whichever was longer. The new recommendation
applies to camps, schools, businesses, mass gatherings, and other community
settings where the majority of people are not at increased risk for
influenza complications. This guidance does not apply to health care
settings where the exclusion period should be continued for 7 days from
symptom onset or until the resolution of symptoms, whichever is longer;
see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm
for updates about the health care setting.
Flu Prevention Workshops for Departments
and Work Groups
Flu Prevention
Workshops flyer (pdf)
Health*Matters,
UC Berkeley's Wellness Program for Faculty & Staff, is pleased to
offer fun and interactive Flu Prevention education for faculty and staff
in campus departments and work groups. Format and delivery can be tailored
to your needs from a 20-minute workshop to a drop-in format. The workshop
covers an interactive handwashing exercise, coughing etiquette and tips
on staying healthy. To schedule, contact Kristl Buluran at 643-9082.
Back to UHS home page
|
Contact Info
Join Our Team
