CDC Media Statement (Jan. 26, 2016):

"CDC is working with other public health officials to monitor for ongoing Zika virus‎ transmission. Today, CDC added the following destinations to the Zika virus travel alerts: United States Virgin Islands and Dominican Republic.  Previously, CDC issued a travel alert (Level 2-Practice Enhanced Precautions) for people traveling to regions and certain countries where Zika virus transmission is ongoing: the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory; Barbados; Bolivia; Brazil; Cape Verde; Colombia; Ecuador; El Salvador; French Guiana; Guadeloupe; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Martinique; Mexico; Panama; Paraguay; Saint Martin; Samoa; Suriname; and Venezuela.  Specific areas where Zika virus transmission is ongoing are often difficult to determine and are likely to continue to change over time.

As more information becomes available, CDC travel alerts will be updated. Travelers to areas where cases of Zika virus infection have been recently confirmed are at risk of being infected with the Zika virus. Mosquitoes that spread Zika are aggressive daytime biters, prefer to bite people, and live indoors and outdoors near people. There is no vaccine or medicine available for Zika virus. The best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

Some travelers to areas with ongoing Zika virus transmission will become infected while traveling but will not become sick until they return home. Some people who are infected do not have any symptoms. Symptoms include fever, rash, joint pain, and red eyes. Other commonly reported symptoms include muscle pain and headache. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon and case fatality is low. Travelers to these areas should monitor for symptoms or illness upon return. If they become ill, they should tell their healthcare professional where they have traveled and when."

UMBC Resources:

University Health Services
410-455-2542
uhs@umbc.edu
www.umbc.edu/uhs

Study Abroad Office
410-455-2624
sao@umbc.edu
www.studyabroad.umbc.edu

International Education Services
(410)-455-2624
ies@umbc.edu
ies.umbc.edu

The spring semester has just started at UMBC, but we are knee-deep in cold/flu season. With our busy schedules, multiple commitments and conflicting priorities, it can be difficult to find time to take care of ourselves and our health - especially when we get sick. University Health Services encourages students, faculty and staff to remember the importance of self-care while feeling sick - it will speed up your recovery so you can get back to class/work sooner, and you can also help prevent the spread of illness to others around you. 
For persons fighting the flu, the "CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol®. You should stay home from work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings." 

Here are 5 Steps to take if you do happen to get the flu, as recommended by the CDC:

- Stay at home and rest.
- Avoid close contact with well people in your house so you won’t make them sick.
- Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids to prevent fluid loss (dehydration).
- Treat fever and cough with medicines you can buy at the store.
- If you get very sick, are pregnant, or are 65 years or older, or are otherwise at high risk of flu-related complications, call your doctor. You might need antiviral drugs to treat flu.
- You can see the CDC's full list of recommendations for flu treatment here. 

If you have not gotten sick yet, keep it up!

- Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based rub if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid close contact with those that are sick. If you are taking care of someone who is sick, check out the CDC’s guidelines for caring for someone who is sick here. 
- Sleep well. Persons who forego sleep on a regular basis can compromise their immune system and make them more susceptible to getting sick. 
- Eat well. Eating a diet rich in vitamins, nutrients and minerals can help support your immune system.

Getting Seen at University Health Services:

If you would like to be seen by one of our medical providers at UHS we are open Monday - Friday, 8:30am-5pm, and are located on the ground floor of Erickson Hall. Our services are available to all UMBC students, faculty and staff. You can just walk-in to be seen, or you can call ahead and make an appointment which may help decrease your wait time, by calling 410-455-2542 (press "1" at the voice prompt).