The University of San Francisco has established a taskforce of officials who would be in communication with infectious disease experts from the San Francisco Department of Public Health to deal with any possible cases of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus outbreak. The taskforce is aslo charged with reviewing and updating the USF Pandemic Flu Prevention and Response Plan outlining campus guidelines on minimizing the risk of infection, and maintaining safe campus operations.
The 2012-2013 seasonal flu vaccine contains 3 flu strains (H1N1, H3N2, and B/Wisconsin) to protect against the major circulating flu viruses in the Northern Hemisphere. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the H1N1 virus as well as the seasonal flu spreads through tiny wet drops produced when a contagious person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Symptoms of both the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu typically include fever (100 degree F or higher) along with one or several of the following symptoms: cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, muscle aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea, or vomiting.
Individuals can help protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated and following these healthy habits:
- wash your hands often,
- cough and sneeze in your crook of your sleeve,
- don’t share personal items,
- stay home or in your room when sick, and
- get vaccinated.
If you have questions about seasonal flu or H1N1 virus, Please don’t hesitate contact Kamal Harb, Director of Health Promotions Services, at (415) 422-6702 and harb@usfca.edu.
We wish you ongoing success and good health at USF.
