Important New Information for Faculty

Seasonal and H1N1 Flu (10-29-09)

The information and recommendations listed below were developed by USD’s Wellness Professionals following CDC Guidelines, in consultation with the Provost’s Office and all Academic Deans. This Flu season presents some new challenges because in addition to the usual seasonal flu that circulates every fall/winter, there is a new and very different flu virus spreading worldwide among people called novel or new H1N1 flu.

Below you will find important information to help protect our community from the Seasonal and H1N1 Flu. We are asking your assistance in disseminating this information to your colleagues and students. In addition, the preventive actions we are communicating may also help you protect yourself and others from the Flu.

Please consider that the Student Health Center (and community health providers) are extremely busy caring for an increase in patients. At this time, we encourage you to go to the USD Special Alert Website for additional information, resources, and updates. Phone calls requesting information that is available on the website may impact the SHC professionals from triaging cases, providing care to those in need, and managing the many questions students may have.

Are students and staff at USD getting sick with H1N1 Flu?

Yes. The H1N1 flu is causing illness in all states and communities, including San Diego and here at USD. H1N1 is reported on 97% of all college campuses. Although the H1N1 virus is causing widespread illness, it typically does not cause more severe illness than a typical seasonal flu virus.

Will USD be giving H1N1 Flu vaccinations?

Yes. The Student Health Center has ordered vaccine for all students, faculty and staff that would like to receive it, with first priority given to students. The H1N1 vaccine will be free to students, faculty and employees.  Unfortunately, vaccination at USD is not available to family members.

The Student Health Center will conduct vaccination clinics once the vaccine becomes available (currently expected in November). H1N1 vaccine will require one dose for adults. Please go to the USD Influenza Special Alert website for the latest information on H1N1 flu vaccine clinics.

If you had the flu since this Spring, should you get the H1N1 vaccine?

Yes. The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses.

Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had 2009 H1N1 infection, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should get vaccinated. 

What else can you do to prevent from getting the flu?

Prevention strategies are the same for seasonal and H1N1 flu, but because we will have both types of virus circulating, USD strongly recommends that you follow The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to protect yourselves and others from influenza (the flu) by getting vaccinated, and to take everyday preventive actions:

It is extremely important for all faculty, staff, and students to take the following flu/respiratory disease precautions:

• 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.
• Do not share food, drink, or utensils
• If you get the flu, CDC recommends that you stay home from work until you are symptom free and have no fever for 24 hours.
• While sick, limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Become familiar with the Resources listed in the USD Special Alert Website to find out what to do if you get sick with the flu and how to care for someone at home who is sick with the flu.
• Faculty members with flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24-hours after they no longer have a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing medicines

If you get the Flu:

• Flu-like symptoms include fever (usually high), headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose muscle aches, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
• If you think you have the Flu contact your health care provider to talk about your symptoms and review the measures you can take to recuperate and feel better. Ask your health care provider whether antiviral medication is necessary or not.
• Be sure to share with your health care provider if you suffer from any condition that may put you at higher risk such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems. Antiviral drugs may be especially important for people who are very sick (hospitalized) or people who are sick with the flu and who are at increased risk of serious flu complications, such as pregnant women, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms stay home and let your supervisor know. Remember to stay home from the time you feel sick until you are symptom-free and have no fever for 24 hours in order to take care of yourself and avoid infecting others.

What can I do to help and support my students?

• Please become familiar with the guidelines we are distributing to students and encourage those in your class(es) to read and follow them.
• Be aware that we are following CDC guidelines and requesting ill students to stay home or in their rooms until they have no fever for at least 24 hours (4 to 7 days in most cases).
• Please make sure that students in your class do not feel there will be negative academic consequences for staying home while sick.
• Please consider that the Student Health Center (and community health providers) are extremely busy caring for an increase in patients. At this time, we request that you don’t ask for a doctor’s note or verification from the Student Health Center. Such requests may impact the SHC professionals from triaging cases, providing care to those in need, and managing the many questions students may have.
• Please provide support and some flexibility to ill students who follow the CDC recommendations and stay home.
• Remember that under applicable law, Wellness professionals cannot share information without student consent except in very limited circumstances.
• Be prepared and consider that you yourself may need to be out for one week if ill. Prepare a contingency plan to deliver class material (e.g., web-based distance instruction, telephone trees, mailed lessons and assignments) and to administer tests in case it is needed.
• Help USD disseminate changes in guidelines or important prevention information to your students as it becomes available throughout the semester.

Thank you for your efforts to keep all members of our USD community in good health. Although we can’t eliminate the spread of this virus, we hope that our collective efforts can significantly minimize its reach and overall impact.