The following is an important message from Dr. Mary Ferris, UCSB campus physician and Student Health Executive Director regarding the influenza outbreak and the need to get a flu shot. Also, view the video interview with Dr. Ferris at the end of her message.
Jan. 14, 2013
TO: Campus Colleagues & Students
FR: Mary Ferris, M.D., UCSB Campus Physician & Student Health Executive Director
RE: Influenza Update
Due to the increasingly serious influenza illnesses spreading across the country, we encourage all students and staff to receive a flu shot as soon as possible. Faculty and staff are encouraged to obtain their shots from their local healthcare providers, and many retail pharmacies also offer flu shots.
Student Health will be offering special times when flu shots for students can be obtained quickly without appointments in the Student Health Classroom on Tuesdays or Fridays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Alternatively, students may obtain flu shots at our regularly scheduled Immunization Clinics Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; check in at the designated Immunization computer in the Student Health lobby. There is no additional cost for students with UC SHIP insurance, and for other students the cost is $20 and is billed to BARC.
Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, fatigue and joint aches. Medications can be prescribed to shorten the course of the illness if treatment begins within the first 48 hours, but otherwise the treatment is rest and over-the-counter painkillers. Most cases of flu don’t need to see a doctor unless there are serious symptoms, or can come in the first 2 days of illness when prescription medications may shorten the course of illness.
Please DO NOT GO TO CLASS OR WORK when you are ill to avoid spreading illness to others! The best way to prevent the spread of illness is by avoiding others when ill, covering your cough, and washing your hands. You should not have intimate contact or share cups or food utensils with people who are ill. Further information can be found at http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu and http://www.flu.gov.
Students may call our Advice Nurse at 805-893-7129 for questions, or send a confidential email through the “Gateway” at http://studenthealth.sa.ucsb.edu. Please seek medical attention for trouble breathing, persistent vomiting, severe headache, dizziness or confusion or worsening symptoms. Go to the Emergency Room if Student Health is closed.