Swine Flu Information

Swine Flu news coverage exploded this past weekend. I want to put your mind at ease: Student Health has NOT seen this strain of flu (Influenza A) for the entire month of April. Doctor Elizabeth Downing, Director of Student Health, Doctor Mary Ferris, Medical Director of Student Health, and Dr. Yonie Harris, Dean of Students, talked over the weekend and also participated in a conference call from the California Department of Health about current recommendations regarding the swine flu. Here are some facts and recommendations:

· Know the difference between colds and influenza/flu:

• The common cold and how to treat it
• Influenza and how to treat it

· If you have a fever and a sore throat or other flu-like symptoms (see link above), come in or call for an appointment.

· If you are mildly sick, stay home. If you have recently traveled to places that have reported case of swine flu and are ill, call or come to Student Health for testing.

· Student Health has influenza medication: The new swine flu IS SENSITIVE to both of the influenza medications Student Health carries. We have a good supply of them.

· If you miss a class because you are ill, you can call the Advice Nurses (805-893-7129) who will make record of your complaint. When you are better, come in to student health to pick up your note.

Here are some tips to prevent getting sick:

There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza. Take these everyday 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 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. Germs spread this way.

· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

· If you get sick with influenza, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

The Center for Disease Control has set up a swine flu website with constant updates.

Once again, Student Health has not seen any of this kind of flu (influenza A) for the entire month of April. The UCSB campus and Student Health will be actively monitoring the swine flu situation locally and nationally. We will update you as necessary.

Take care of yourself and each other. Good luck with midterms.

Michael Takahara is a health educator at Student Health. Post comments, suggestions, questions or your wellness tips here or email Michael.takahara@sa.ucsb.edu.

2 Responses to “Swine Flu Information”

1. thehealthguy says:

   April 30, 2009 at 12:53 pm

   Here’s a message (4.30.09) from Dr. Elizabeth Downing, Director of Student Health:

   “The swine flu nomenclature has been changed to Influenza A (H1N1). As of this writing, there are no probable or confirmed cases in Santa Barbara County. There are two confirmed cases in Ventura County; those affected are school-age children who are at home with mild illness. Student Health is updating its website daily(http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu/), as is the SB County Public Health Dept and I would urge all to check these sites daily for any new local information. Also, don’t hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns.

   Elizabeth Downing, M.D.
   Director, UCSB Student Health”
2. Michael Takahara says:

   June 26, 2009 at 10:09 am

   A brief note from Dr. Mary Ferris, UCSB’s Student Health Medical Director:

   “Many students have been asking us about facemasks to protect themselves from influenza transmission. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control does NOT recommend them for community and home settings since their effectiveness is uncertain, but instead promotes the following standard precautions to avoid catching an infection:

   Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand cleaner when soap and water are not available.

   Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

   Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

   People who are sick with an influenza-like illness (fever plus at least cough or sore throat and possibly other symptoms like runny nose, body aches, headaches, chills, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea) should stay home and minimize contact with others, including avoiding travel, for 7 days after their symptoms begin or until they have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.

   Avoid close contact (i.e. being within about 6 feet) with persons with an influenza-like illness.

   More information can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm.”

   A reminder that you can check the Student Health website for daily updates on H1N1.