UPDATE: January 20, 2010

The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is reminding all county residents that H1N1 is still very active in the community.  The public health effort is to continue distributing vaccine to those who’ve not received it in order to protect the community from H1N1.  Our clinic still has vaccine available and will be distributing it through campus clinics.  At this time, the vaccine is available to everyone in our campus community, regardless of age Please visit our H1N1 vaccine clinic for dates and times.

UPDATE: October 30, 2009

As you may have heard, San Diego county has begun receiving H1N1 vaccines.  The initial doses have been in very limited supplies, with the majority of it going to local hospitals.  Some has also gone to community clinics.  Given that there has been a small amount received compared to what has been ordered for the county, the distribution of the vaccine is by established priority groups.  At this time, Student Health and Counseling Services has not received the vaccine that was ordered, and we are told that it may be a few more weeks before we receive the vaccine. 

Once we receive the vaccine, we will make announcements regarding where and when the vaccine will be distributed.  It is quite possible, that the early shipments may be much smaller than the original order; if so, we will follow the CDC and San Diego County Health Department’s guidelines regarding vaccine priority distribution.  We have been assured that we should eventually receive all the doses we ordered.  The list county clinics that have receive vaccines can be found at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/Portal/flu/H1N1vaccine.html. Do know that the clinics have received limited supplies, and may be out of vaccine.  If you are in one of the high risk groups and you choose to go to one of these locations, please call first to confirm that they have vaccine and to know what priorities they are using for distribution on that day.  If you have access to a medical provider outside the campus, please check with them to see if he or she has vaccine available.

In the interim, please continue to be diligent regarding hand-washing, cough etiquette, and STAY HOME if you are ill with influenza like symptoms.  More details regarding symptoms and home self care can be found on the clinic’s website.

2009 H1N1 FACTS AND INFORMATION – September 2009

2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza (referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus that appeared last spring which now has been reported all over the world, therefore it is considered a pandemic.  College-age students do not have immunity to this virus so have an increased risk of being infected with this virus. 

The illness is like seasonal flu that occurs each winter; however the high number of susceptible individuals and the activities of campus life can cause the virus to spread quickly.  California State University San Marcos’ departments of Student Health and Counseling Services and Emergency Management are working closely with San Diego County Health Department in monitoring of illness developments and communicating essential information in a timely manner to the campus community.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STAY HEALTHY?

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; or cough/sneeze into the sleeve of your elbow.  Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing.
  • Carry alcohol based hand cleaners, particularly if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because germs are spread this way.
  • Do not share items such as drinks, food, cell phones, etc.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Consider receiving both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines when they become available.  The  Flu Clinic dates are on our web site.  The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available with the H1N1 vaccine being available mid to late October.


HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE H1N1?

The CDC lists the following as the common symptoms of influenza like illness (ILI):

  • Fever higher than 100°F orally
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Fatigue
  • Rarely, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

If you are suffering from these symptoms, STAY HOME (self isolation). 

Students may call Student Health & Counseling Services at (760) 750-4915 [760/750-4924 TDD] for instructions on how to care for yourself and reduce spreading the infection to others.  Faculty and staff members should contact their healthcare provider. If you develop these symptoms, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without the use of fever-reducing medications. 

If you have a severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health provider or seek medical care.  Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or medications are needed.  If you do come to the clinic for medical care, please wear a mask to prevent the spread of the virus.  We provide facemasks and hand cleaners in out reception area and have a special area for ill students to wait.

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS

If you become severely ill or experience the following, seek emergency medical care at an Urgent Care or Emergency Room or Call 911:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms that improve, but then return with fever and worse cough


SELF CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECOVERY

  • For fever, sore throat and body aches – take Acetominophen (such as Tylenol) but do not exceed 3,000 mg per day; or can take Ibuprophen (such as Advil) but do not exceed 1,800 mg per day.  Take either product “around the clock” at the frequency indicated on the product directions – not just when symptoms reoccur.
  • For cough – use a cough syrup with the suppressant dextromethorphan, which is usually combined with guaifenesin (a mucus thinner); take this at the frequency indicated on the product directions.
  • Increase fluid intake – fluids are important while you have a fever to prevent dehydration.  Consume fruit juices, sports drinks, soup and water.  Do not use sugar –free drinks for rehydration.
  • Call Student Health & Counseling Services – 760/750-4915; 760/750-4924 TDD if fever remains over 100° for two days, if you have a productive cough, or have other new severe symptoms.
  • Stay home from class and work to limit contact with others – this will keep others from becoming infected.  For students, please notify your professor by email or phone of your illness so that your instructor can work out a process for you to make up missed assignments/work.  Your instructor will make the decision regarding whether an absence is excused based on their class attendance policy. Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, the student is responsible for making up all work that is missed.  You do NOT need to come to the clinic for a “Return to Class” note.
  • Flu care kits - Flu self-care kits that contain hand sanitizer, cough suppressant, fever reducer, and thermometers are available in the clinic for a modest cost.


OTHER RESOURCES:
•    http://www.csusm.edu/em/Alert/Students.html
•    http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/about/index.html
•    http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/Portal/News/swineflu.html
•    http://www2.csusm.edu/ep/Alert/H1N1/CSUSM_H1N1Fact%20Sheet.pdf