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H1N1 Q & A

Updated October 19, 2009

Q. What are the symptoms of H1N1 (swine) flu?
The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those caused by the usual strains of influenza virus and include fever over 100 degrees orally, plus other symptoms such as:

  • Headache
  • Muscle aches
  • Cough
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Sore throat
  • Fatigue
  • And rarely, stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

If you are suffering from these symptoms, stay home.  Students should call Student Health Services at (619) 594-5058 for an evaluation and instructions on how to care for yourself and reduce spreading the infection to others. Faculty and staff should contact their healthcare provider.  For further information about H1N1 (Swine) flu, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.

Q. How does a person contract H1N1?
Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people:

  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.  Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

Q. If I’m feeling sick, what should I do?
If you are sick, stay home.  Students should call Student Health Services at (619) 594-5058 for an evaluation and instructions on how to care for yourself and reduce spreading the infection to others. Faculty and staff should contact their healthcare provider.

In addition:

  • CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
  • Persons who experience flu-like symptoms (fever with either cough or sore throat) and wish to seek medical care should first contact their health care provider to discuss their illness before seeking care. Persons who have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath or are believed to be severely ill should seek immediate medical attention.
  • Students, if you are staying home due to illness, e-mail your professors to notify them of your absence and to make arrangements for your missed class assignments. 

For further information about H1N1 (Swine) flu, see http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm.

Q.  Is the university providing flu vaccinations?
High-risk students can get seasonal flu vaccines from Student Health Services. It is anticipated that H1N1 vaccinations will begin in early November. The H1N1 vaccine is recommended for high-priority groups.  For more information, visit the SDSU Student Health Services flu information page.

Q. How is SDSU keeping the campus informed about H1N1?
This Urgent Information site will be updated regularly as information becomes available. There is also information available at Student Health Services website.

The campus will also update its emergency operations hotline at (866) 794-8832 as is appropriate. 

For additional information:

Students with health related questions can contact Student Health Services’s Flu Information Line at (619) 594-3078 or they can call the office at (619) 594-5058 or after hours at (619) 594-5281.

Other questions can be sent via e-mail to marcomm@mail.sdsu.edu