Saint Mary’s Response to H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
MESSAGE TO STUDENTS re: H1N1 flu vaccine, October 6, 2009
- The H1N1 flu vaccine is now available in the Health and Wellness Center. In our initial shipment, we received the intranasal H1N1 vaccine which is for healthy individuals age 2-24 who are not pregnant and do not have certain health conditions. If you received the intranasal seasonal flu vaccine, you must wait 2 weeks from the date of the seasonal flu vaccine to receive the intranasal H1N1 vaccine. If you received the injectable form of seasonal flu vaccine, you can get the H1N1 intranasal vaccine anytime.
Please come to the Health and Wellness Center between the hours of 9am-4pm (closed for lunch 12pm-1pm). We are located on the ground floor of Augustine Hall. You can expedite your visit by reading the attached Vaccine Information Sheet and completing the H1N1 Patient Information Form. - As of October 9, 2009, there are no reported cases of H1N1 flu at Saint Mary's College.
Check this page regularly for H1N1 information going forward.
What are the signs and symptoms of this virus in people?
The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.
- What to Do if You Get Flu-like Symptoms: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/sick.htm
Saint Mary’s College is closely monitoring the H1N1 flu as the new academic year begins. The College’s Incident Management Team meets regularly to assess the situation with the flu and to try to prevent the spread of the flu on campus. You can keep an eye on the SMC Bulletin, which arrives in your e-mail boxes on Monday mornings, for possible updates on the H1N1 flu.
Last spring, four cases of students with the H1N1 flu were confirmed with the Contra Costa Public Health Department. Students with confirmed or probable cases are asked by the Health and Wellness Center to stay home for seven days, or one day beyond the conclusion of symptoms, whichever is longer.
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and contact your primary care physician. Students should not attend class and should contact the Health and Wellness Center at (925) 631-4254.
The Centers for Disease Control has a comprehensive list of precautions for institutions of higher education that are very helpful, along with other comprehensive information documents on the H1N1 flu. The Contra Costa Public Health Department has updates on the H1N1 flu in this county. Please click on the links below for more information on:
- FAQs on H1N1 Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
- Tips for Students, Faculty and Staff to Prevent the Spread of Flu:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/toolkit/actionstepsstudents.htm - Institutional Action Steps to Prevent the Spread of Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/toolkit/actionstepsinstitutions.htm
- Guidance to Institutions: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/institutions/guidance/
- Prior Saint Mary’s Releases on H1N1 Flu (including archive): http://www.stmarys-ca.edu/news-and-events/item-feature.html?ID=3275
- Contra Costa Public Health Department H1N1 Flu Information:
http://cchealth.org/topics/swine_flu/
