Feature
May 22, 2009
College Monitors Swine Flu Impacts, Promotes Preventive Measures
H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information for Saint Mary's College
Updated 5/22/2009
The College's Incident Management Team continues to meet concerning the reports
of swine flu and is monitoring developments.
All public events scheduled will be held as planned.
Four cases of students with the H1N1 have been confirmed with the Contra Costa
Public Health Department. Students with confirmed or probable cases have been instructed
by the Health and Wellness Center to stay home for seven days or one day beyond the
conclusion of symptoms, whichever is longer.
Students who are symptomatic have also been directed not to attend class. Academic
Advising and Achievement is making contact with their instructors to provide support for
these last days of the spring semester.
We continue to urge that if you are experiencing symptoms, please stay home and make
contact with your primary care physician. If you are a student, stay home from class and
contact the Health and Wellness Center which, with Academic Advising and Achievement,
will work with you to support your successful completion of the term. The Health and
Wellness Center can be reached at (925) 631-4254.
Seven students who were studying in Cuernavaca, Mexico, returned to their homes in
the United States and will complete any remaining coursework under the direction of
Professor Alvaro Ramirez.
Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest on H1N1 flu in English or in Spanish.
Messages Regarding Swine Flu
May
15 Message from Jane Camarillo, Vice Provost for Student Life
May
11 Message from Jane Camarillo, Vice Provost for Student Life
April
29 Message from Jane Camarillo, Vice Provost for Student Life
April 27 Message from Jane Camarillo, Vice Provost
for Student Life
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
The CDC recommends the following everyday actions to stay healthy.
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 are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or
sneezing of infected people.
If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit
contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Questions & Answers
Visit the CDC for the complete Q&A.
What are the signs and symptoms of swine flu in people?
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and
include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people
have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe
illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu
infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying
chronic medical conditions.
How does swine flu spread?
Spread of this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is thought to be happening in the same way
that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through
coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by
touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.
How can someone with the flu infect someone else?
Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and
up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the
flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
What should I do to keep from getting the flu?
First and most important: wash your hands. Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty
of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat
nutritious food. Try not touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
