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H1N1 Flu (Swine) Information

Student Health Service

H1N1 Flu Shot

Updated 11/20/09

The Student Health Center just received their initial order of the H1N1 vaccine. 

We have established two flu clinics for students/staff/faculty as follows:

  1. Thursday, December  3rd from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the *Trinity Commons (formerly Free Speech Area)
  2. Monday, December 7th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the *Trinity Commons (formerly Free Speech Area)

*If weather does not allow for outdoor flu clinic, it will be held in the BMU Atrium.

Please make sure you are prepared to show your CSU Chico Wildcat Card for identification.  Due to a limited supply, only those belonging to the priority group identified by the CDC will be given the shots.  The shots are FREE.

  • people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months
  • healthcare workers
  • persons ages 24 years and below
  • people from ages 25-64 who have chronic health disorders that put them at high risk for complications of the flu such as asthma, other chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes; and those with immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV).
If you have had 2009 H1N1 flu, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful.

For pregnant women, we have not yet received our order for “mercury-free” H1N1 vaccine but please continue to watch for our future announcement.  We will post it once we receive it.  No flu shots will be given at the Health Center, the shots will only be given during the above flu clinics.  Additional flu clinics will be scheduled as we receive more vaccine.

To read more information about the H1N1 vaccine, please go to this website:  http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm


According to Butte County Public Health, people over the age of 65 are not prioritized for pandemic H1N1 vaccine because very few people in that age group have come down with the new flu. It is thought that older people may have some partial immunity to this virus.

Please continue to practice prevention as stated below:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends 4 main ways you may keep from getting sick with the flu:
1.    Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. To see more details click here.
2.    Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow or shoulder; not into your hands. To see more detials click here.
3.    Stay home or at your place of residence if you are sick for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen). Staying away from others while sick can prevent others from getting sick too. Ask a roommate, friend, or family member to check up on you and to bring you food and supplies if needed. To see a comparison of Common Cold and Influenza Symptoms see the table below.
4.    Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should be vaccinated for seasonal flu and/or 2009 H1N1 flu. Information about 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination can be found at: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination. Information about seasonal flu vaccine can be found at: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A COLD AND A FLU :

SYMPTOM COLD FLU
Fever Rare Usual; high (100-102 F)
Headache Rare Common
General Aches, Pains Slight Usual; often severe
Fatigue, Weakness Sometimes Usual; up to 2-3 weeks
Extreme Exhaustion Never Usual, at beginning
Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes
Sneezing Usual Sometimes
Sore Throat Common Sometimes
Chest Discomfort, Cough Mild-Moderate hacking cough Common, can be severe
Treatment Antihistamines, Decongestant Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meds Antiviral medicines- See your doctor
Prevention Wash hands often. Avoid close contact- anyone with a cold Annual vaccination; antiviral medicines- See your doctor
Complications Sinus congestion, Middle ear infection, Asthma Bronchitis, Pneumonia; Can be life threatening

What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms

1. California Department of Public Health: 

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/default.aspx

2. Centers for Disease Control: 

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1/

3. World Health Organization: 

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

4. Butte County Public Health

http://www.buttecounty.net/publichealth/

5. Good Health Habits for Preventing Seasonal Flu

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits/index.htm

6. H1N1 Influenza Vaccine and Pregnant Women

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/pregnant_qa.htm