Flu Information for the UCSD Community

Last updated September 25, 2009 11:34:35 AM PDT

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Get tips on reducing the spread of seasonal flu (influenza).

Note: Seasonal flu is different from pandemic flu, which includes the current instances of H1N1 influenza. For more information about H1N1, see UCSD's H1N1 Web site.

Get a flu shot

The best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Faculty and staff enrolled in UC-sponsored health plans: Contact your individual health care provider for availability and instructions on getting immunized to protect yourself from both the H1N1 flu and the seasonal flu.
Students: See Immunizations at Student Health Service.

You can also find a nearby flu shot clinic by ZIP code, courtesy of the American Lung Association.

Other ways to reduce the spread of flu

Don't spread germs:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
- Post Cover Your Cough (PDF) in your workplace.
- Read Stopping the Spread of Germs at Home, Work & School, CDC.
Practice good health habits:
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Be physically active.
- Manage your stress.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Eat nutritious food.

Learn to recognize common flu symptoms

High fever (102° – 104°F)
Headache
General aches and pains
Extreme tiredness
Chest discomfort or cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (more common among children than adults)
Read these CDC documents:
- Is It a Cold or the Flu? / ¿Será un resfrío o será la gripe? (PDF) for a comparison of symptoms.
- Flu: Pandemic/Bird (PDF), to learn about seasonal, bird, and pandemic flu.