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Student Health Services

Flu Information

H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu Information) (links to the Centers for Disease Control Web site)

"Take 3" Steps to Fight the Flu (PDF, 754KB)

Protecting Yourself Against the Flu

If you are experiencing respiratory distress, please call 911 immediately for assistance.

To protect yourself against the flu:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and throw the tissue in the trash after using it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are being treated for a chronic disease or are currently pregnant, you should discuss preventative measures with your personal physician.

Symptoms suggestive of influenza:

  • High fever (over 100 degrees)
  • Dry cough
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Vomiting
  • Sometimes diarrhea

See the chart below for some of the differences between symptoms of flu and the common cold.  Source:  http://www.tamiflu.com/about/coldflu.aspx.

Symptom Cold Flu
Fever Fever is rare with a cold. Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold. A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).
Aches Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold. Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week. Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills Chills are uncommon with a cold. 60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold. Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing Sneezing is commonly present with a cold. Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days. The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains
Headache A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold. A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat Sore throat is commonly present with a cold. Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold. Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms:

  • You may call Student Health Services' main reception desk at (805) 437-8828 for assistance.  Be prepared to tell the receptionist:
    • what your measured temperature is;
    • what your symptoms are;
    • how long you have been sick; and
    • any chronic diseases you have.

If you are sick, we recommend that you:

  • Stay home or otherwise isolate yourself for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of fever-reducing medications) except to get medical care. This will help the virus from spreading to others.
  • Keep away from others as much as possible.  If you live on campus, notify your resident assistant that you are sick or not feeling well.  You may even want to ask your parents to pick you up from campus so that you can continue to recover at home.
  • Stay in bed and get plenty of rest.
  • Drink plenty of fluids.
  • Take fever reducing medications such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.  Do not take aspirin.

For non-urgent medical care during Student Health Services' after-hours:

During the 2010/2011 academic session, Student Health Services’ (SHS) hours are:  

  • Monday - Thursday:  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Friday:  9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday – Sunday:  CLOSED

When SHS is closed, the following clinics will provide the same medical care that you would receive at SHS.  Be sure to present your student ID card before obtaining services.

  • Magnolia Family Medical Clinic located at: 2240 E. Gonzales Road in Oxnard, (805) 981-5181
  • Las Islas Family Medical Group located at: 325 W. Channel Islands Blvd. in Oxnard, (805) 483-0198

Flu Vaccines

We are typically able to begin offering flu vaccines in November.  Look for posted flyers and emails announcing our clinics.  You may also check this Web site for information regarding the availability of vaccines.  To inquire about getting vaccinated, you may call SHS at (805) 437-8828.  

What if You Already Had the Flu?

It is still recommended that you get the vaccine.  Please consider getting the vaccine to lessen your chances of becoming sick with another strain of the flu.

Cost:

The flu vaccine is free to students and $2.00 for faculty/staff (exact cash only).  The minimal charge helps defray the costs of staffing and supplies for this service. Ventura County Public Health provides free vaccines at their clinic.  If you are interested, please see their website at: http://portal.countyofventura.org/portal/page?_pageid=953,4243495&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL.

Who should not be vaccinated:

Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. These people include:

  • Those who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
  • Those who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
  • Those who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
  • Children less than six months of age (the influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
  • Those who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.

Alternate Flu Vaccine Location Information

Visit the Ventura County Public Health site for information regarding their schedule and vaccine availability.  You may also contact the Ventura County Public Health office at (805) 981-5221 to listen to a recorded message with updated information. CSU Channel Islands Student Health Services cannot provide any additional details about their operations.