Health Advisories
The San José/Evergreen Community College District is taking steps to protect the health and welfare of our campus communities, including faculty, staff, and students. This information is provided to you as a resource, and should not be used to replace medical advice or care. Please return to this page for regular updates and links to online resources.
H1N1 FLU – WHAT COLLEGE STUDENTS NEED TO KNOW (provided by the Santa Clara County Public Health Department)
You may be wondering why the pandemic H1N1 “flu” is getting so much attention. A pandemic flu is a new flu virus that spreads easily from person-to-person, and causes illness worldwide. Since it’s new, people have no or little immunity – or protection – against it.
What’s also different is this new flu is affecting large numbers of young people between the ages of 5 and 24 years old. It’s important to know that most young, healthy people will recover at home without any special medical attention.
What to Do If You Think You’ve Been Exposed to H1N1
• If you feel fine and have no symptoms you do not need to call or see a doctor, and you don’t need to miss school or work.
• Watch for flu-like symptoms. Monitor yourself for a fever over 100 ºF plus a cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills, and fatigue.
What to Do If You Are Sick with Flu-Like Symptoms
• If you’re sick, stay home and keep away from other healthy people. If you have a fever plus another symptom stay home. Stay home until you no longer have a fever for at least 24 hours – without taking any fever medications.
• Get plenty of rest and make sure to drink lots of water and other healthy clear liquids.
• Treat fevers and aches with over-the-counter flu medicines. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
When to Call or Go to a Doctor
• You have an underlying medical condition.
• Your symptoms get worse.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You get dehydrated from vomiting and/or diarrhea.
When to Go to the Emergency Department
Go to the emergency department if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Shortness of breath • Chest pain
• Trouble breathing • Continued vomiting
• Seizures • Confusion
To Help Prevent the Spread of Flu
• Get your flu vaccines. If you haven’t gotten your seasonal flu vaccine – get it now. Once the H1N1 vaccine is available, get that too.
• Keep up good health habits. Wash your hands and cover your cough.
• Stay informed. Get the latest updates by visiting our website at www.sccphd.org and becoming a fan of our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sccpublichealth or on MySpace at www.myspace.com/sccpublichealth
INFORMATION/RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- H1N1 University Letter & Student Flyer
- Santa Clara County Public Health Department:
http://www.sccgov.org/portal/site/phd - Main Swine Flu Web Link: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl0f1bzIhcg
- H1N1 School Guidance (Español)
- H1N1 School Guidance (Vietnamese)
HIN1 What You Need to Know
Because so many people may become sick with this new flu virus, each individual and family should prepare and have the supplies they may need. As we saw during the spring, pandemic influenza can have an affect on everyday life. Schools may have to be closed again, business may experience high absenteeism, and there may be spot shortages of supplies. Have a plan for yourself and your family in case any of these things happen.
The information in this section can help you and your family prepare for pandemic H1N1.