August 19, 2009


TO: Students, Faculty and Staff

FR: Georgia Schwartz, MD
Director, SSU Student Health Center

RE: H1N1 2009 (Swine) Flu Updates & Prevention as the SSU*academic year begins

Thousands of SSU students, staff, and faculty*are gathering to start the academic year at a time when a new infectious disease,*H1N1 2009 (swine flu)*is circulating widely.*H1N1 2009 flu spreads*when infected people*cough, sneeze, or contaminate objects by touching them with unwashed hands. Although the*illness caused by*H1N1 2009 is very similar to*regular seasonal flu, H1N1 2009*is a new virus.*Therefore many people have no immunity to this virus and are susceptible (especially people age 24 and under).**The spread of infection is*of particular concern in close living and working environments with lots of young people such as schools and*college campuses.

Prevention:*

1.**Vaccines:* Regular seasonal flu vaccine will soon*be available. Students, faculty, and*staff are advised to get*immunized against seasonal flu as soon as possible. Due to staffing limitations, the Student Health Center will need to focus on*administering flu shots*to the regularly enrolled student population. A*new and different*H1N1 2009*vaccine is under development and*will hopefully*be available*later this fall. It is expected to require two doses spaced several*weeks apart and must be given*in addition to*the seasonal*vaccine.*People between 6 months 24 years of age,*as well as those with conditions that place them*at risk for serious complications from influenza (e.g. asthma, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy,*heart disease)*are the highest priority group for receiving H1N1 2009 vaccine when it becomes available.

2.**Reducing the spread of germs:*Because the benefits of any vaccine will not be evident until two weeks after completion of full immunization,*simple hygiene measures*are the best (and only)*way to prevent and/or*slow the spread of flu at this time.

• Wash or clean*hands often*with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand*sanitizer*gel or wipes.
• Cover coughs and sneezes using the elbow or a sleeve.* If a tissue is used, dispose of it in the trash immediately after use and wash/clean hands immediately.
• Don't share personal items*like drinks, food, or unwashed utensils.
• Know the signs and symptoms of influenza, which include fever (100 degrees*Fahrenheit*or greater, plus cough or sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, fatigue*in the absence of another explanation for these symptoms).*Some people may also have vomiting or diarrhea.
• Stay home and away from others*when ill with flu-like symptoms*and for at least 24 hours*after the fever is gone. Time without fever should be counted only when fever-reducing medications have not been used.
• Vaccinate for both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu*when the vaccine becomes available.

3. What if I get sick with flu-like symptoms or someone I live with does?*
Most people are expected to recover from the flu*without needing medical attention. Antiviral*medications such as Tamiflu have side effects of their own, are only marginally effective in reducing duration or severity of illness, and according to*Public Health Department guidelines*are indicated*only*in*medically severe circumstances or in patients with serious long-term medical*conditions than place them at additional risk of serious influenza*complications.

Follow basic self care measures: Rest, fluids,*acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, not aspirin) for fever.

Follow CDC recommendations:
*CDC H1N1 Flu | What To Do if You Get Flu-Like Symptoms — guidelines on what to do if you are sick
*https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htm*— what to do when someone*you live with*is ill with flu like symptoms

Those with severe*symptoms*or who are at high risk*should contact their health care provider. In adults,*warning signs*needing urgent medical attention include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

4. What if I want updated information*about H1N1 2009 flu?
Read: **CDC H1N1 Flu — the most comprehensive source of H1N1 flu information*on a multitude of topics.
**https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm*— a helpful synopsis of the most current information in Q & A format.

5.*Watch for SSU-specific updates by campus e-mail or on the SSU website:
SSU Student Health Center:*https://www.sonoma.edu/shc/
SSU home page: *https://www.sonoma.edu