Dr. Georgia Schwartz, Director, SSU Student Health Center, sent this message to the campus on Friday, May 1.
The current swine flu virus has been re-named the H1N1 Type A Influenza Virus. Why? Because some people have incorrectly reacted to the word "swine" and banned pork imports or started slaughtering entire pig populations.
In contrast, reactions and behaviors based on sound public health and scientific information are our best tools for responding to H1N1 flu.
H1N1 Swine flu is not transmitted by eating properly cooked pork, and there is no need to kill pigs.
Contrary to rumors circulating locally, there are no confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of H1N1 Type A flu at SSU at this time and no confirmed cases in Sonoma County. With increased surveillance and testing, new cases will be identified world wide, possibly locally.
An increase in confirmed cases will not necessarily mean that the illness caused by H1N1 has become more severe. Whether this virus will produce milder or a more serious illness in the future is unknown.
H1N1 flu has, for the most part, been a relatively mild illness so far with symptoms similar to regular seasonal influenza. Thousands of complications and deaths result every year in the U.S. from regular seasonal influenza -- without the attention that the 9 confirmed H1N1 related deaths worldwide to date have received.
The deaths in Mexico reported by the media included suspected but not confirmed cases of H1N1 flu. The Phase 5 World Health Organization alert means that there are now clustered cases in more than one country, which indicates a potential for further spread. It was not prompted by an increase in the virulence of the virus.
According to Sonoma County Public Health, all confirmed cases of H1N1 flu have had fever. Public Health experts have stated that "if you don't have a fever of 100 degrees or more, you don't have this flu."
The incubation period range for H1N1 (formerly swine) flu is 1-7 days, and it is well past this period for those who went to Mexico during Spring Break. There is no CDC recommendation that healthy people returning from Mexico be tested or stay home. This applies only those arriving in the last 7 days who also have fever and other flu symptoms.
Nevertheless, H1N1 flu must be taken seriously from a public health and prevention perspective. Campus leaders remain in communication with Public Health Officials, are following their recommendations and guidelines, and are proceeding according to the SSU Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Flu Response Plan.
Just as importantly, we are calling on all members of the campus community to use the following time-tested tools and sources of information. These work equally well for H1N1 (formerly swine) flu, regular seasonal flu, and other respiratory infections.
1. Keep it clean:
- Cover coughs and sneezes. Use your elbow, shoulder, or a tissue.
- Dispose of used tissues in the trash, and wash hands immediately.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds each time.
- If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand rub - available at any drug store.
- Don't share drinking or eating utensils or other mouth-contaminated items with others.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, as germs from your hands can enter your body this way.
- Avoid close contact with others who are ill. Their germs are not your friend.
2. Help out your immune system:
- Avoid exposure to cigarette smoke and other inhaled or environmental respiratory irritants.
- "Just say no" to substances that can interfere with immunity.
- Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night - more if you'd like.
- Eat regular balanced meals which can include appropriately cooked pork if you're not a vegetarian.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Stay physically active.
- Avoid stress, including anxiety that can come from relying on media reporting rather than reading prevailing public health information about H1N1 (swine) flu - see links below.
3. If you get sick with fever, cough, sore throat, body ache's etc:
- Keep following the guidelines listed above:
- If you have the flu, stay home and limit contact with others. Stay in a different room or at least 6 feet away. Wear a surgical mask when you can't avoid being near others, and don't share a used mask with someone else. Masks are not currently recommended for people in the community who are not ill with flu symptoms.
- If symptoms are mild, follow self-care guidelines including getting lots of rest, healthy fluids, and taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever. You don't really need to see a doctor.
- If you feel very ill, fever above 101, have difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, persistent dizziness, disorientation or headache, can't eat or drink, are getting dehydrated, or have other symptoms of concern, seek medical attention promptly.
- Call your health care provider BEFORE coming for a medical visit, because it might be better for you to stay home or your provider might need to prepare for your visit to prevent transmitting infection to others.
Get your information from:
The World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Sonoma County Health Department: www.sonoma-county.org/health/ph/news/index.htm
The SSU Student Health Center: (707) 664-2921
Your personal off-campus health care provider
Thank you.
