To keep the Santa Rosa Junior College community informed about influenza, the Sonoma County Junior College District takes steps to protect the health and welfare of our college community, including providing information on this Web site. Be sure to check back periodically for updates and links to additional online resources.

Seasonal Influenza: The Disease

Flu is a serious contagious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. In 2009–2010, a new and very different flu virus called “2009 H1N1” spread worldwide causing the first flu pandemic in more than 40 years. Flu is unpredictable, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the 2009 H1N1 virus to spread this season along with other seasonal flu viruses.

In the United States, annual epidemics of influenza occur typically during the late fall through early spring. Influenza viruses can cause disease among persons in any age group, but rates of infection are highest among children. During these annual epidemics, rates of serious illness and death are highest among persons aged ≥65 years, children aged <2 years, and persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at increased risk for complications from influenza. Influenza on average causes 36,000 deaths per year in the United States. Data from epidemiologic studies conducted during the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic indicate that the risk for influenza complications among adults aged 19--64 years who had 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) was greater than typically occurs for seasonal influenza.

People infected with flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from 1 day before getting sick to about 5-7 days after getting sick. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems. This means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.

Keeping Yourself Healthy

A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.

• While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine protects against the three viruses that research indicates will be most common.
• The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated against the flu each year.
• Vaccination of high risk persons is especially important to decrease their risk of severe flu illness. Vaccination also is important for health care workers, and those who live with or care for high risk people to keep from spreading flu to high risk people.
• Children younger than 6 months are at high risk of serious flu illness, but are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for or live with them should be vaccinated to protect these babies.

Take everyday actions to help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home if you are sick to avoid spreading flu to others.
• Manage your stress: get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise.

Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them.

• If you get the flu, antiviral drugs can treat your illness. These drugs can make illness milder and shorten the time you are sick.
• Antiviral drugs work best when started in the first 2 days of symptoms to treat people who are very sick (such as those who are hospitalized) or people who are sick with flu symptoms and who are at increased risk of severe flu illness.

About Flu Vaccines

Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine as soon as vaccine is available this fall. While flu is unpredictable, it’s likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses and regular seasonal viruses will cause illness in the U.S. this flu season.

The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1 and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus).

The 2010-2011 influenza vaccine should be widely available in Sonoma County by mid-October, from private medical providers, community clinics, and pharmacies.

Please visit http://www.flu.gov/individualfamily/vaccination/locator.html to find vaccine resources in your local community.

Keeping Our College Community Healthy

When students and employees are sick with influenza-like illness at the College, in classrooms, workplaces, or at public gatherings, they need encouragement and direction to go home to take care of themselves. They should then call their health-care provider to see if they could benefit from flu testing or from antiviral medications. Students may call Student Health Services at 527-4445 or a Sonoma County Community Clinic if they do not have an established health-care provider. A list of clinics can be found at http://www.santarosa.edu/for_students/student-services/student-health-services/sonoma-county-resources/.

Information for Students

The symptoms of the flu may include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle aches, fatigue
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Chills
• Possibly diarrhea and vomiting

Flu is highly contagious through airborne respiratory droplets. It is the responsibility of faculty to ensure a safe and healthy environment in the classroom for everyone; therefore instructors have the legal authority to dismiss students from the classroom when contagious illness is apparent.

Instructions For Students Exhibiting Symptoms of Influenza-like Illness

• At the first sign of illness, isolate yourself at home, do not come to classes, and, if you are at school, go home immediately.
• Call your personal health-care provider or Student Health Services (527-4445) for a phone consultation regarding a flu-like illness. Typically, going into a health-care facility is not advisable unless you are in a high risk category for complications and may need antiviral medication. High risk categories currently include pregnancy, patients with chronic medical conditions, those with a compromised immune system, and those less than 5 years old or more than 65 years old. Testing for the flu is not currently being done in settings outside the hospital, as this does not change the treatment plan.
• Don't forget to check your syllabus for attendance and make up policies. We encourage you to communicate with your instructor as soon as possible.
• Notify ALL of your instructors by e-mail or telephone to let them know you are sick with influenza-like illness and when your symptoms began. Receive direction from your instructors on how you may be able to meet any class requirements you miss during your anticipated absence.  
• Home self-care of this illness includes Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen for headache, fever, and body aches. Monitor your fever with a thermometer. Drink clear fluids throughout the day. If you have a cough that is unrelieved with over the counter cough remedies or signs of severe illness, contact your health-care provider.
• Stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings.
• If you are sick with flu-like symptoms, stay at home for at least  24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medicine.