USD Recommendations for Prevention

USD and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urge you to take the following actions to protect yourself and others from influenza (the flu):

Take time to get vaccinated.

The CDC recommends a yearly seasonal flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza. Remember there will be two different flu vaccines this year—seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine will be available in September this year.  An H1N1 vaccine is being developed, and should be available later in the fall to persons for whom it is recommended.  See Seasonal and H1N1 Flu Vaccination for more information.

Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of serious seasonal flu complications, including young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.

Contact the Student Health Center for information about flu vaccine availability this Fall.

Take everyday preventive actions.

• 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.

• Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues, and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious

• If you are sick with flu-like illness:
• The  CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) 
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) of others as much as possible. 
• Avoid public places and public transportation while you are ill.
• If you must be in close contact with others, wear a facemask.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
• See What to Do  and How to Treat the Flu for more information.

Know Your Risk Status.

Some people are at higher risk for serious illness from the flu.  It is important for any person in a high-risk group (or who is a caretaker or close contact of a high risk person or an infant under age 6 months) contact a healthcare provider

• To get vaccinated for seasonal flu AND H1N1 flu
• To discuss treatment options if he/she gets a flu-like illness
• To discuss medications to prevent the flu if he or she is exposed to the flu

Persons at high risk for complications or severe illness from the flu:

• Children less than 5 years old (especially under 2);
• Persons aged 65 years or older;
• Persons less than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy ;
• Pregnant women;
• Adults and children who have chronic diseases of the
  •  lung (including asthma),
  •  heart (except high blood pressure),
  •  liver,
  •  kidneys,
  •  blood (including sickle-cell disease and chronic anemia),
  • nervous system;
  • neuromuscular disorders , or
  • metabolic disorders (including diabetes);
• Adults and children who have a suppressed immune system (including that caused by medications or by HIV infection);
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.

Stay informed.

 Information on H1N1 flu is available and frequently updated at the CDC H1N1 website,  the California Dept. of Public Health website, and the USD Special Alert page.