McCombs TODAY

With the fall semester underway and flu season quickly approaching, we know a lot of you have concerns, particularly about the H1N1 strain. We want to do everything possible to maintain a healthy and safe community for McCombs students, faculty and staff.

“I’m a mother, so I know there are a lot of parents who are concerned for their children’s health, especially those away from home,” says Associate Dean Paula Murray. “While we can’t completely prevent our students from getting sick, we’re doing our best to prevent illness from spreading and to offer care to those who do get sick.”

This post lists tips on flu prevention and treatment and the details on upcoming campus flu shot clinics. We’ll keep the McCombs TODAY blog updated with the latest news and information from University Health Services (UHS) on flu prevention and care.

Helpful Links
UHS Web site
University Emergency Web site

PREVENTION

• Wash your hands regularly
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze
• Stay home if you have flu-like symptoms. This includes not attending class, work, meetings and interviews. Associate Dean Murray encourages faculty not to penalize students who miss class due to the flu. (Visit the Vice Provost Web site for more information on class absences due to flu-related illness.)

TREATMENT

In line with CDC recommendations, UHS considers patients to have influenza if they have a fever over 100.0 degrees F AND a cough and/or sore throat. A patient may have other symptoms, but the above must be present.

If you’re feeling ill, first call the 24/7 Nurse Advice Line (512-475-6877) while remaining at home so as to avoid unnecessary exposure to other illnesses and limit your exposure to others. If you need to be seen, the triage nurse will schedule an appointment for you.

Many students can take care of their infection with self care instructions and treating the symptoms without being seen by the provider. UHS has increased staffing to help reduce the time you may have to wait. They ask for your patience and understanding.

Only patients who are at high risk of complications will be treated with anti-viral medication (such as Tamiflu), and only if it can be started within 48 hours of symptom onset, which is the time span in which this medication can make a difference.

VACCINATIONS

University Health Services will begin offering seasonal flu vaccines through its annual Flu Shot Clinics in October. The cost of shots is $5 for students and $10 for faculty. McCombs faculty and staff can pick up a $5 coupon from the Dean’s Office (GSB 2.104) so they will only have to pay the student rate of $5.

These vaccinations are for the seasonal flu, not the H1N1 virus. UHS has submitted a request for the H1N1 vaccine, but it is unclear when and how much of the vaccine will be available for UT students, faculty and staff. Students will be the top priority group for the H1N1 vaccine, although our ideal plan is to make it available to all UT students, faculty and staff. UHS will offer the H1N1 vaccine to high-risk students as soon as they receive it.

To get vaccinated at the Flu Shot Clinics, you should take your UT ID, $5 cash or check and your faculty coupon to any of the UT Flu Shot Clinics listed below.

Tuesday, October 6
12 noon - 4pm
Gregory Gym, (GRE), Concourse

Thursday, October 8
12 noon - 4pm
Texas Union (UNB) Santa Rita Room 3.502

Tuesday, October 13
12 noon - 4pm
Student Services Building (SSB), Glenn Maloney Room G1.310

Wednesday, October 14
11am - 2pm
Pickle Research Campus, The Commons (TCB), Stadium Room 1.118

Thursday, October 15
12 noon - 4pm
Jester West (JES), Texas Cultures Room (formerly called the Second Floor Piano Lounge).

Friday, October 16
1 - 4pm
Facilities Complex Building 1 (FC1), Room 1.118

Tuesday, October 20
12 noon - 4pm
Student Services Building (SSB), Glenn Maloney Room G1.310

Wednesday, October 21
12 noon - 4pm
McCombs School of Business (CBA), Hall of Honors

Thursday, October 22
12 noon - 4pm
Texas Union (UNB) Quadrangle Room 3.304

Tuesday, October 27
12 noon - 4pm
Student Services Building (SSB), Glenn Maloney Room G1.310

Wednesday, October 28
12 noon - 4pm
School of Law (TNH), Townes Hall Atrium

Thursday, October 29
12 noon - 4pm
Gregory Gym (GRE), Concourse