Up for discussion: Preparation for the H1N1 flu

Recent outbreaks of the H1N1 (swine) flu on college campuses in other parts of the country may give parents of UC Davis students cause for concern.

UC Davis has been preparing for a potential outbreak, and there are some things you and your student can do — even before he or she comes to campus — to help protect against the flu.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said individuals aged 5 to 24 are among the hardest hit by the H1N1 flu. UC Davis and the local community have already had some confirmed cases.

As Aggie Family Pack publishes, UC Davis is preparing to e-mail students a letter about campus preparations for the H1N1 flu and what students themselves can do.

Vaccinations

In keeping with recommendations from the CDC, Student Health Services at UC Davis is urging all students to get vaccinated for the seasonal flu before they come to campus. The CDC is recommending early seasonal vaccination to assist in reducing the spread of the H1N1 flu.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are also available for a fee to registered UC Davis students through Student Health Services.

Students living in residence halls will be able to get seasonal flu vaccinations during Student Housing Resource Faires, annual events to help student residents become familiar with campus services:

• Cuarto — Sept. 21, Cuarto Area by the Oxford Circle Dining Commons
• Segundo — Sept. 22, Segundo Area by the old dining commons
• Tercero — Sept. 23, Tercero Area by the Pierce/Leach Green

Vaccinations will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Seasonal flu vaccinations are available during any routine primary care visit at Student Health Services or by calling (530) 752-2349 to make a vaccination appointment. Although dates are not yet available, Student Health Services is also planning some vaccination clinics in early October.

All seasonal flu vaccinations by Student Health Services will be $25 for students with the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) or $35 for all other students. The fee will be billed directly to the student's MyBill account.

The H1N1 vaccination is expected to be available nationally in October. Dr. Tom Ferguson, medical director of Student Health Services and an assistant public health officer for Yolo County, said UC Davis is working closely with the county and state health departments to obtain the H1N1 vaccine, when it becomes available, for dispensing on campus.

Flu kits

Parents may want to help their student assemble a "flu kit." Kits are also available for $4 from Student Health Services. These kits include a travel-size bottle of hand sanitizer, two travel-size packets of tissues, five disposable masks, four single-use thermometers and a list of the CDC's recommendations for home care.

Preventative health measures

Students are encouraged to play their part by following the CDC's common-sense preventative health measures:

• 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 hands cleaners may are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs and viruses spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick. Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• If you get sick, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Ill students

Ferguson said the majority of individuals who contract this virus will not need to seek a doctor's treatment. However, students seeking care for flu-like symptoms from Student Health Services are advised to contact the advice nurse at (530) 752-9649 before scheduling an appointment with a primary care doctor there.

Students who are ill with flu should remain at home (or in their room) for 24 hours after they are fever-free. Student housing has prepared two suites should it be adviasable to isolate sick students.

Students are responsible for notifying instructors when their health interferes with their ability to attend class or complete assignments. Accommodations are at the discretion and judgment of the faculty.

Classes and other activities

The H1N1 pandemic had not disrupted any campus classes or activities as Aggie Family Pack went to press. Campus emergency and health officials are monitoring the situation, however, and will work with Yolo County Public Health regarding any recommendations for changes in or cancellations of campus activities based on the scope and severity of any flu outbreak. Any changes will be communicated broadly to the campus community, including through the campus H1N1 Web site.

Campus preparation

Valerie Lucus, campus emergency planner, reassures parents that UC Davis has been actively preparing for a potential outbreak and has plans in place to effectively respond. Last December, for example, the campus and county health department hosted a flu vaccination clinic as an exercise for quickly dispensing medication during a public health crisis.

"Representatives from Student Health Services and Safety Services are in close contact with the Yolo County Health Department and county emergency officials, and we participate in regular briefings," Lucus said.

For more information

• UC Davis H1N1 flu This Web site includes bulletins about the flu on campus and information about the campus response.
• UC Davis Student Health Services; also, manager (530) 752-8042; advice nurse (530) 752-9649
• Yolo County Health Department
• California Department of Public Health; also, toll-free hotline (888) 865-0564
• CDC 2009 H1N1 Flu