Flu Information Page

Check this web page often for current information for the UMass Boston community, plus links and resources to keep you up-to-date.

• For information about the H1N1 Flu Vaccine at UMass Boston please click here.
• For information about the Boston Public Health Flu Clinics please click here This link includes a current list of clinics with available H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccines.
• Missed the UMass Boston Flu Summit on September 24th, 2009? Review our slides here(PDF). Stay tuned as we will soon be liking to a video of the Summit.
• Missed the UMass Boston Flu Clinics? Don’t worry! We are still offering flu shots during our normal Immunization and Blood Pressure Clinics. For more information, please click here.

Staying healthy

Vaccination

Currently, both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines are in extremely limited supply on a national basis. During periods of short supply, difficult decisions must be made regarding prioritization of eligibility to receive vaccine through University Health Services. The staff at University Health Services shares your frustration under such circumstances.

Students who fall under high risk high risk categories following the government-mandated protocol of vaccinating specific groups will be given first priority through UHS as the department functions as primary care provider for students with Aetna Student Health. We expect that staff and faculty members would be able to get vaccine from their primary care providers or other sources where they seek their health care services. We are hopeful as the national supply increases that we will eventually have enough supply to have covered the high-risk categories and open up vaccine access to the entire university.

We are all anxiously awaiting additional supply of vaccine. In the meantime, before seeking vaccination, please continue to review the continuously updated information about H1N1 flu vaccine availability and eligibility through this website.

What you can do to stay healthy?

These important everyday actions can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like flu:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow instead of into your hands. Throw used tissues into the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, to reduce the spread of germs.
• Don’t share food, drinks, utensils and other similar items.
• If you’re sick, stay home from school or work, and limit contact with others.

For more information, read the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s H1N1 flu fact sheet by clicking here.
If your roommate or family member is sick click here for important information and tips.

Alternative medicine

Alternative medicine should not be used as a replacement for proven conventional care, or to postpone seeing a healthcare provider about a medical problem. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides information here on specific alternative options, including scientific information, potential side effects, and cautions for each.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be cautious about products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure 2009 H1N1 influenza, specifically products like pills, air filtration devices, and cleaning agents that claim they can kill or eliminate the virus.

Flu symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 flu can include:

People have also reported nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

What to do

If you have flu symptoms, call your healthcare provider.

The UHS Triage Nurse can be reached at (617) 287-5660 during normal hours of operation. For after hours, please call your health care provider or the Nurse line listed on the back of your insurance card. If you require urgent care, a list of facilities is located here.