Health Alert & Information
Use these links to jump to each health topic:HPV Vaccine
Gardasil, the new HPV vaccine, is now available at the Health Center. The HPV vaccine protects against 4 major types of HPV. These include 2 types that cause about 70% of cervical cancer and 2 types that cause about 90% of genital warts. The vaccine is recommended for females 13 to 26 years of age.
The vaccine is given in a series of three shots. The second shot is given two months after the 1st dose, and the third shot is given six months after the 1st dose. The cost is $150 per dose.
For more information:
- View this video about HPV and the vaccine.
- Visit the following websites:
HPV Shot Dates:
#1 HPV shot may be started on the following dates from 2 - 4 PM:
- Jan 22 & 29
- Feb 5, 12, 19 & 26
- Mar 5
Shots #2 and #3 may be received on Tuesdays 2-4 PM or Fridays 9-11 AM or 2-4 PM.
Staph Infections
Staphylococcal skin infections, also known as “staph infections,” are caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. There has been an increase in the spontaneous development of these infections in otherwise healthy people.
For more information, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_mrsa_ca_public.html
Pandemic and Avian Influenza
Avian flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds. Pandemic flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Currently there is no pandemic flu.
Season flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. The Health Center usually treats several cases of season flu each year which is typical for Dallas County health providers.
The Health Center is currently involved in working with the University and the pandemic planning operations plan. Our goal is to assist with prevention and treatment strategies should an outbreak occur. Current guidelines to prevent the spread of any respiratory illness include:
- Cover the nose/mouth when coughing or sneezing
- Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest waste receptacle after use;
- Perform hand hygiene (eg. hand washing with non-anti-microbial soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
Further information can be found on the SMU Health Center website or at the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov
Meningitis Vaccine Information
One of the vaccinations offered at the Medical Clinic is the vaccine that protects against meningococcal disease. This disease is a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause meningitis, which is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) states that college freshmen living in residence halls are at moderately increased risk for meningococcal disease as compared to other individuals their age. The ACIP does not recommend that the level of increased risk among college freshmen warrants any specific changes in their living situations. Parents and students are encouraged to make an informed choice about whether or not to be immunized.
For more information, visit the web site at the Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm
West Nile Virus
Overview
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) there were 4,156 positive cases of West Nile Virus in 2002, with 284 resulting in death. The total in Texas was 202, with 13 deaths.
The West Nile Virus was originally found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals.
Most people affected by the virus develop West Nile fever, which is a milder infection, characterized by flu-like symptoms, which typically lasts only a few days and does not appear to cause any long-term health effects.
More severe cases can develop into West Nile encephalitis or West Nile meningitis. It is not known where the United States virus originated, but it is most closely related genetically to strains found in the Middle East. CDC scientists believe the virus has probably been in the eastern U.S. since the early summer fo 1999, possibly longer. The continued expansion of West Nile virus indicates that it is permanently established in the Western Hemisphere.
Symptoms of West Nile Virus
Most people who are infected with the West Nile virus will not have any type of illness. It is estimated that 20% of the people who become infected will develop West Nile fever: mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, occasionally with a skin rash on the trunk of the body and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms of mild disease will generally last a few days.
The symptoms of severe infection (West Nile encephalitis or meningitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that 1 in 150 persons infected with the West Nile virus will develop a more severe form of the disease.
The incubation period in humans (time from infection to onset of disease symptoms) for West Nile encephalitis is usually 3 to 14 days. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.
(Adapted from the Summer 2003 issue of the "Safety Pen" - the quarterly newsletter published by the SMU Office of Risk Management & Environmental Health & Safety.)
The Centers for Disease Control offers addition information about this virus and prevention information about reducing your risk for getting west nile virus.
Influenza
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
- 10-20% of the US population gets influenza (also called “the flu”) each year.
- Approximately 36,000 deaths occur annually in the US alone.
- The flu is a respiratory illness that causes high fever, cough, muscle aches and fatigue.
- It is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing.
- Individuals who have the flu are contagious from 1 day before showing signs of being sick to 5 days after symptoms develop.
- The influenza season lasts from fall to early spring with the highest prevalence occurring during the winter months.
Getting vaccinated can prevent influenza. The Centers for Disease Control has made specific recommendations regarding who should be immunized. For healthy young adults (most college students!) the focus should be on prevention of transmission (besides the vaccine).
Other ways of preventing the flu include the following:
- wash your hands often
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
- avoid close contact with people who are sick
- cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
Influenza can be treated if detected early. Your doctor may order certain test to help diagnose the flu. If you become sick, drink plenty of liquids, get lots of rest, avoid using alcohol or tobacco, and take over the counter medications to relieve your symptoms.
Read more about influenza at www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.