Faculty: Flu FAQs
Q. Are we at risk for this flu at Sac State?
A. The University has had no reported cases of swine flu. While it has been reported in several countries, it still has not reached the proportion of a typical seasonal flu outbreak. Moreover, the relatively few number of cases reported in the United States have generally been very mild.
Q. What should I do if a student says he feels ill?
A. Refer the student to the University’s Student Health Center. Health Center staff can then determine the proper course of action.
Q. What if a student comes to class saying he or she has been tested for influenza A(H1N1)/swine flu?
A. Students who claim to have been tested should be sent home to recuperate. Patients who are having flu symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others.
Q. Will Student Health Services or other medical providers give students absence clearance forms?
A. Yes. All health care providers and clinics will give students excuse notes if the situation is warranted. It is okay for faculty to ask students to provide this documentation when the students return to class.
Q. What about other faculty and staff members?
A. They should see their personal health-care provider if ill. Flu symptoms include fever (usually above 100 degrees), cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue.
Q. What if a student asks me for information about influenza A (H1N1)/swine flu?
A. Direct the student to Sacramento State’s flu information web site: www.csus.edu/pa/swineflu/. This site has links to the University’s Health Center and news updating the current situation and links to other sources. Information is also available at the Sacramento County Health Department’s 24-hour telephone hotline, 2-1-1 from any non-business telephone. The California Department of Public Health Services has a toll-free flu hotline at 1-888-865-0564, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends.
Q. What is the University doing to protect its students, faculty and staff?
A. The Student Health Center has been seeing students and is in daily contact with county health officials. Even though this is not a pandemic, the University already has a pandemic response plan in place, developed two years ago for the avian flu threat. The plan was recently updated in response to the current situation with influenza A (H1N1)/swine flu. Facilities Services staff have stepped up sanitation efforts in public areas, including classrooms and commonly used hardware (door knobs, railings, etc).
Q. What other precautions are being taken?
A. The University has reinforced its ongoing efforts to improve public health reminding everyone to thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water, cover their nose and mouth with tissue when coughing or sneezing, or to cough into the crook of their arm. People should also avoid touching their eyes, nose or mouth to deter the spreading of germs. More information is available at http://webapps1.csus.edu/hlth/documents/HealthAlert-Swine_Flu.pdf