2009 H1N1 Flu

UC San Diego implements wide-ranging plans to cover H1N1 flu contingencies.

UC San Diego is carrying out procedures to prevent the spread of flu and accommodate those who may become ill in our campus community. Watch this site (ucsd.edu/flu) for regular updates.

Latest campus updates

• Nov. 20: A limited number of vaccines are available for high-risk students on Nov. 23-24 at Student Health Service.
• Nov. 3: UC still trying to get H1N1 vaccine: news release (UCSD expects to have vaccine in late November)
• Nov. 2: Check out the winning films in the Project Wellness flu prevention video contest.
• Oct. 29: County receives unexpected shipment of H1N1 vaccine: Union-Tribune article
• Oct. 29: See an expert panel discuss H1N1 on UCSD-TV.
• Oct. 9: Students, become part of an investigational flu study.
• Oct. 8: Locate a seasonal flu vaccination clinic near you.
• Oct. 5: Faculty/ instructors, get info about flu and class attendance.
• Oct. 2: Message to students about flu preparedness strategy.
• Oct. 2: The UC San Diego Medical Center's H1N1 site offers answers and informational videos.

See past updates in the H1N1 News Archive.

H1N1 definition

Influenza A (H1N1) is a respiratory disease caused by type A influenza viruses that result in regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get this disease, but human infections can and do happen, as they have recently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified this outbreak as a level 6 pandemic, defined as an epidemic that is occurring throughout the region or world.

H1N1 symptoms

According to the CDC, flu symptoms include fever (temperature of at least 100 degrees F or 38 degrees C, or signs of fever such as chills, sweats, flushing, or skin feeling hot), cough, and/or sore throat. In addition, you may experience headache, body aches, fatigue, nasal congestion, vomiting, and diarrhea.

How to take care of yourself

In general, you should stay home and use self-care measures unless you are experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea, or instability related to dehydration, persistent fever more than 3-4 days, or have a high-risk condition, including:

• Lung diseases like asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• Heart disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Metabolic diseases like diabetes
• Blood disorders like sickle cell or other severe anemia
• A weakened immune system caused, for example, by cancer or cancer treatment, HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or corticosteroid therapy
• Certain conditions such as nervous system or muscular disorders or seizure disorders that can cause breathing problems or increase the risk of inhaling oral secretions
• Pregnancy

In the video above, Dr. Randy Taplitz, the clinical director of infectious diseases at the UCSD Medical Center, talks about what swine flu is; why it's been a cause of concern for public health officials; and how to protect yourself from this virus.