Jo Ann Dawson, interim director at UCLA's Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, answered questions about the swine flu outbreak that triggered the declaration of a U.S. public health emergency:
Q: What are the symptoms of the swine flu?
A: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
Q: Have there been any cases of this flu at UCLA?
A. None have been reported.
Q: I got a flu shot last fall – will that protect me now? Should I get a flu shot if I haven’t had one already?
A: The swine flu is a different strain of influenza. There currently is no vaccine for it. However, you may still consider a flu shot for the seasonal flu.
Q: Are there effective treatments for this flu?
A: Yes. Please see CDC website for information: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/swineflu_you.htm.
Q: How likely is it that I might contract this flu?
A: It is unlikely, but the situation is evolving and normal precautions should be taken.
Q: Should I be wearing a mask?
A: There are no recommendations at present for that.
Q: What should I do if I notice someone else with flu symptoms?
A: Stay away from them. Practice good respiratory hygiene. Encourage the person to go to bed and use symptomatic treatments.
Q: What should I do if I feel ill myself?
A: If you are a student, you should contact the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center or (310) 825-4073. Walk-in advice and information is available during regular business hours. When the center is closed, information is available from Nurseline at (866) 704-9660. Faculty and staff should consult their physicians.
Q: What can I do to avoid the swine flu?
A: The CDC recommends that you:
· 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.
Q: Where can I go for the latest information about this flu?
· 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.
Q: Where can I go for the latest information about this flu?
A: Here are some resources, all of which are updating frequently.
CDC: www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
World Health Organization: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html.
Los Angeles County Health Department: http://www.lapublichealth.org/.
Los Angeles County Health Department: http://www.lapublichealth.org/.
Q: Is UCLA going to be closed?
A: Based on the current information, there is no recommendation to do that.
Updated information from UCLA on the swine flu outbreak is available at http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/swineflu.
