Flu Information & Updates
Last updated 11.19.09
The University of California, Irvine is open and operating normally.
EH&S and other campus organizations continue to monitor the international
outbreak of novel H1N1 flu and prepare for the possibility that this
world-wide pandemic that could significantly impact our campus. We continue
to work closely with Orange County Health Care Agency Health and other health
agencies to help reduce the risk of infection for the UC Irvine community and
to plan for possible disruptions to our normal operations.
This site provides the campus community with information about UC Irvine's pandemic planning and offers guidance to help students, faculty, staff, and others prepare for flu during this academic year. Visit this page often for more information and updates.
Flu Prevention and Treatment Measures for Everyone
UC Irvine takes the health of its community and the health of its external
constituencies and community organizations very seriously. Following the guidance
of the Centers
for Disease Control (CDC) and other public health officials, we ask that
everyone take the actions below in order to help prevent the spread of flu
and to limit the impact of flu on our community. In addition, we ask
that potential campus visitors (colleagues, friends, family) with flu-like
illness postpone campus visits.
Flu Symptoms
Seasonal and H1N1 flu symptoms are similar:
- Fever above 100.4 F
- Cough
- Runny Nose
- Body Aches, Headache
- Chills
- Fatigue
Flu Prevention Measures
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. When
a tissue is unavailable, cover coughs or sneezes with your elbow or shoulder
instead of your hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough
or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Keep your distance from people who are coughing - about 6 feet away - and
keep interactions will ill persons as brief as possible
- Avoid sharing personal items such as forks, spoons, straws, toothbrushes,
towels
- Monitor yourself daily for the symptoms of flu-like illness.
- Eat well, be active, get plenty of rest
- Get vaccinated
for both seasonal and H1N1 flu if appropriate and as available.
If you have symptoms of flu-like illness
- Avoid contact with others: stay home from work, class, and public places.
- Isolating yourself if you have flu-like illness protects
others in the community, especially those at higher risk for flu
complications.
- The current recommendation from the CDC is that you should
remain isolated until at least 24 hours after you no longer have
a fever, or signs of a fever, without the use of fever-reducing
medicines.
-
If you wish to seek medical treatment, contact your health provider by
telephone before seeking care.
-
Seek emergency medical care if you or someone you know is having any of
following warning signs:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
-
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
-
Sudden dizziness
-
Confusion
-
Severe or persistent vomiting
If you are exposed to someone who has flu-like
illness
You should monitor yourself for symptoms and continue to go to work or class
as usual. Avoid face to face contact with anyone who has flu-like illness.
If you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care
provider for guidance.
Considerations for those at high risk for flu complications
According to the CDC, groups at higher risk of complications from flu include:
children younger than age 5; adults age 65 or older; children and adolescents
(younger than age 18) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might
be at risk for Reye’s Syndrome after flu virus infection; pregnant women;
adults and children who have asthma, or other chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular,
hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such
as diabetes; and adults and children with immunosuppression (including immunosuppression
caused by medications or by HIV). Adults age 65 and older, however, appear
to be at lower risk of 2009 H1N1 infection than younger people. However, they
are at increased risk of having a severe illness if they do get sick. Anyone
at higher risk of complications who develops flu-like symptoms should contact
their health care provider immediately.
Use of Facemasks and Respirators
Presently, use of facemasks and/or respirators by the general public for
flu-like illnesses has not been recommended by the the World Health Organization
(WHO) or the CDC. See http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/masks.htm for
more detailed recommendations.
Considerations for persons with university related travel plans
Employees and students with upcoming university related travel are strongly encouraged to book their travel using Connexxus in order to receive health advisory updates from iJet/Worldcue. If you are planning university-related travel that is not booked through Connexxus, you must register for UC Traveler Insurance Coverage to receive travel insurance and iJet/Worldcue health advisory updates. Registering your travel provides you with the best safety, health and security information, both pre-trip and during the trip. Should any UC traveler be quarantined during their travels it is critical that we be able to reach out and assist you.
Information for Students
If you develop symptoms of flu-like illness, do not go to class,
work, or other public places until you are fever free for more than 24 hours. Contact
the UCI Student
Health Center at 949-824-4348
to report your illness and to receive guidance about treatment. You may consider
leaving campus to stay with family until you recover. If you do leave campus,
please inform UCI Student Health Center and travel in a way that limits your contact
with others (for example, avoid public transportation).
Consider what steps you can take now to limit the disruption if you develop
flu-like illness.
-
Talk to your roommates about what would happen if you or they develop
flu-like illness.
- Talk to your parents and other family members about what would happen
if you or they develop flu-like illness.
- Ask your instructors about attendance policies and procedures for making
up assignments or exams if you become ill.
- Purchase flu prevention supplies such as alcohol-based hand sanitizers,
tissues, disinfectants, and disposable wipes. Frequently clean high touch
surfaces such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, and counters.
Will the UCI Student Health Center prescribe Tamiflu or other antiviral
medication to students?
In keeping with current guidelines from the World
Health Organization (WHO), Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), and the California
Department of Public Health on treating flu-like illness, the UCI
Student Health Center will prescribe antiviral medications on a limited, case-by-case
basis, to those who are pregnant, severely ill, or have underlying health
conditions (severe asthma, diabetes, HIV disease, immune deficiency).
What should I do if I miss class due to flu-like illness?
You should make contact with your instructors and let them know that you have
flu-like illness and will be missing class. You are responsible for making
up any work you miss and for working with your instructors to minimize the
disruption caused by your absence. If your illness causes you to miss more
than a week of class, you should contact the advising office of your program
or school.
What should I tell my parents or family members about plans for flu
at UCI?
You should share this website with them and encourage them to visit periodically
to stay current on campus plans and activities related to flu preparedness
and prevention.
What should I do if my roommate or friend gets sick?
Here are some guidelines to follow if your roommates, friends, hallmates,
or neighbors develop flu-like illness:
- Avoid face-to-face contact with the sick person.
- Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner
after you touch the sick person or handle items they have touched.
- Monitor yourself for flu symptoms and contact UCI
Student Health Center if
you develop symptoms.
- Visit www.flu.gov to find information
about caring for a sick person at home.
- If you live on campus and a sick roommate is causing you stress, you should
discuss your concerns with your RA/HA or a professional staff member in your
community.
Information for Faculty
If you develop flu-like illness, you should stay home until you are
fever free for more than 24 hours. If you wish to seek medical treatment or
have medical questions, you should contact your healthcare provider. If you
feel well enough to work, you should do so remotely using email, telephone,
and other communication technologies.
Consider what steps you can take now to limit the disruption if you develop
flu-like illness.
- Develop plans to manage your laboratory or office if you or your staff
becomes ill.
- Plan for disruptions to your courses, including informing your students
about:
- policies and expectations regarding class attendance;
- procedures for making up in-class assignments and exams for students
who are absent due to illness;
- procedures to notify students if you need to cancel class unexpectedly.
- Talk to your family and household members about what would happen if you
or they develop flu-like illness and remain at home.
- Purchase flu prevention supplies such as alcohol-based
hand sanitizers,
tissues, disinfectants, and disposable wipes for your laboratory or office
through established procedures for obtaining office supplies. Frequently
clean high touch surfaces such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, and counters.
Where can I get information about instructional technology available
to me?
There are a number of instructional technologies that may be useful to manage
disruptions to a course. The Office of Information
Technology (OIT) is available to help you optimize the use of these technologies.
There may be additional technologies and support available through your school.
What are students being told to do if they develop flu-like
illness?
All Students are being advised not to attend class or exams and to contact
their instructors to make arrangements to make up assignments or exams if
they develop an flu-like illness. Employee Guide to Flu Prevention in the Workplace
Information for Staff
If you develop flu-like illness, you should stay home from work until
you are fever free for more than 24 hours. If you wish to seek medical treatment
or have medical questions, you should contact your healthcare provider. You
should contact your supervisor to inform him or her that you will not be coming
to work.
Consider what steps you can take now to limit the disruption if you develop
flu-like illness.
- Talk to your supervisor and colleagues about ways to minimize the
disruption your absence would cause and explore with your supervisor
the possibility of cross-training with co-workers so that vital functions
can continue in your absence.
- Review Sick Leave,
Paid Time Off, and Family and Medical Leave policies
and your sick leave and other paid time off balances.
- Purchase flu prevention supplies such as alcohol-based
hand sanitizers,
tissues, disinfectants, and disposable wipes through established procedures
for obtaining office supplies. Frequently clean high touch surfaces
such as desks, door knobs, keyboards, and counters.
- Develop plans with your family and household members to address household
matters if you or they develop flu-like illness and have to remain
at home.
In addition to the steps above, supervisors should:
- Develop plans to manage your workplace, including cross-training of
staff, so that vital office functions can continue if you or your staff
become ill.
- Review the sick leave and other paid time off balances for your staff.
- Review official flu information and CDC
guidance about the workplace and discuss with your employees.
If you have questions about Human Resources policies
or workplace issues, contact your school or department Human Resources representative.
What should I do if an employee at work has flu-like illness?
If a staff member at work has flu-life symptoms, you should send
the staff member home. UCI employees who become ill should contact their
health care provider by telephone about medical concerns or questions.
Should I inform employees if I know they have been exposed to someone
with flu-like symptoms?
You should inform employees of their exposure if you know they have come
in contact with someone who has flu-like illness in the workplace, but
you must respect the privacy of the sick individual and not share confidential
information about any employee’s medical condition. Encourage your staff
who have been exposed to monitor themselves for flu-like symptoms and
to speak with their health care provider about any medical concerns. Employee Guide to Flu Prevention in the Workplace
Information for Parents
What are three things parents should do to prepare for flu
at UCI?
- Talk to your son or daughter now about what would happen if he or
she became ill with the flu.
- Purchase flu prevention supplies (for example, tissues, disposable
wipes, hand sanitizer) and flu care products (cold/flu medicine, thermometers).
- Visit this website periodically to stay current on campus plans and
activities related to flu preparedness and prevention.
What happens if my son or daughter gets sick with flu?
Students should call UCI Student Health
Center at 949-824-4348 to speak with a health care
provider about their symptoms and get treatment advice. We want students
to call rather than visit the UCI Student
Health Center in
person to reduce the spread of the illness (this follows CDC infection
control guidance).
In addition, we are providing the following advice to students if they are
sick with flu:
- Students should stay home from class, work, and social activities.
- Students should contact their instructors via email or phone to make
arrangements to make up missed work. UCI instructors know students
will be told to stay home from class if they have the flu and will
work with students to make up work.
- If students are concerned about their academic progress or if they
miss more than two class meetings or an exam, they should contact the
advising office in their school to discuss their situation.
What happens if the symptoms get worse? How will sick students be
monitored?
Sick students who feel worse should call UCI
Student Health Center immediately to talk to a doctor or nurse. If it
is a medical emergency, students should call 911. Sick students on
campus will be contacted regularly by residential staff to monitor their
progress and make sure they are getting what they need.
What if I want to bring my son or daughter home to recover?
While our health care providers and college house staff are great, nothing
beats Mom and Dad’s care when you are sick. If they are able, parents
are encouraged to pick up sick students and take them home to recover. The CDC advises
sick people to avoid public transportation, so travel by private car is the
best option.
For those who live too far away to make going home an option, rest assured
we will do everything we can to keep sick students comfortable and get them
on the road to recovery.
How will UCI notify me if my son or daughter is sick?
UCI notifies parents as soon as possible if their son or daughter has been
hospitalized due to an injury or illness. Please verify that student emergency
contact information is current so that UCI does not have problems
reaching you in case of emergency.
A case of flu is unlikely to be an emergency. We expect students to contact
their parents if they become ill. You should discuss your expectations if
your son or daughter becomes ill. A phone call home each day when a student
is sick is reasonable.
Suspending Normal Operations
At this time, the Centers
for Disease Control is not recommending that educational institutions
suspend classes or cancel large gatherings. However, it is possible that
public health officials could recommend that UCI suspend normal operations
in order to limit the spread of flu. This scenario could include suspending
classes or canceling large public gatherings such as athletic events and
social programs.
If normal operations are suspended, the UCI community will be notified through
multiple methods, notably the UCI homepage and
ZotMail. The length
of a suspension of normal operations and the impact on educational and research
programs would depend upon the severity of the outbreak and the ongoing evaluation
of the health risks by public health officials in consultation with campus
leadership.
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