Health Advisory As we are entering the peak season for respiratory illness and the end of semester study period and finals, we advise taking extra care in exercising hygiene precautions to avoid illness. Current campus public health surveillance indicators indicate elevated prevalence of flu (influenza virus) and COVID-19 among students (respiratory symptoms), and well as…Continue Reading Health Advisory: Reminder of hygiene to prevent illness
Category: Advisory
What Should I Do? COVID-19
If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, take an antigen test, and if it is positive, and follow these instructions, including completing a contract tracing form in MySHR. …Continue Reading What Should I Do? COVID-19
CDC makes recommendation on bivalent COVID-19 boosters
Sept. 1, 2022—CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendations for use of updated COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and from Moderna for people ages 18 years and older.
Updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components to the current vaccine composition, helping to restore protection that has waned since previous vaccination by targeting variants that are more transmissible and immune-evading. Read the full CDC announcement.
USC Pharmacies has temporarily suspended its booster clinic with the previous booster formulations. Pending new clinical guidance, booster vaccination will resume with supplies of the new bivalent formulations….Continue Reading CDC makes recommendation on bivalent COVID-19 boosters
Going Out and Safety
8/2 As there are many opportunities for social activities both on campus and off campus, we would like to share reminders for staying safe when you go out.
- • The university’s safety website contains resources for students, including tips for going out safely (also available in Chinese and Spanish)
- The mobile app (powered by LiveSafe) provides additional ways to look up information and contact the USC Department of Public Safety (DPS) and other campus resources. Please add the 24/7 phone numbers for DPS to your mobile phone: 213-740-4321 (University Park Campus) and 323-442-100 (Health Sciences Campus.)
- • Monkeypox has been identified as a public health issue in the U.S. and in LA County; it is being transmitted primarily through close intimate contact; we encourage you to read about ways to prevent transmission and protect yourself if you are in a population at higher risk of exposure.
- A County Dept. of Public Health also issued an advisory earlier this summer on fentanyl, which is still a public health concern. Anyone who has access to drugs that are not prescribed to them, and not directly dispensed to them through a pharmacy, should be advised to have Narcan, also known as naloxone, available and test any drugs for fentanyl. Narcan is a covered benefit of the Student Health Insurance Plan/Aetna and is available at the USC Pharmacies.
- USC Transportation also provides the rideshare program via Lyft, which further extends safer travel after hours.
Monkeypox: What you should know in LA County
Monkeypox, a disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus, is a rare disease and does not naturally occur naturally in the US. Cases of monkeypox have recently been identified in some countries where the virus is not typically found, including in the US, and appear to have spread through human-to-human contact. Monkeypox can spread when a person has close contact with a person infected with monkeypox virus (direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids; or respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex) or when a person comes in contact with materials (e.g., bedding, towels) that are contaminated with the virus. The risk to the US population remains low. Those who experience symptoms consistent with monkeypox, such as characteristic rashes or lesions, should contact their health care provider for a risk assessment or call DPH at 2-1-1 for assistance if you do not have a regular provider. This includes anyone who traveled to countries where monkeypox cases have been reported or has had close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has a similar rash or received a diagnosis of suspected or confirmed monkeypox. Specific populations may be at increased risk for contracting monkeypox and are eligible for vaccination. As vaccines are currently in limited supply in LA County, individuals are encouraged to sign up for the LA County Monkeypox Newsletter to receive updates on vaccine availability….Continue Reading Monkeypox: What you should know in LA County
7/25 Monkeypox: What you should know in LA County
Monkeypox, a disease caused by infection with monkeypox virus, is a rare disease and does not naturally occur naturally in the US. Cases of monkeypox have recently been identified in some countries where the virus is not typically found, including in the US, and appear to have spread through human-to-human contact. Monkeypox can spread when a person has close contact with a person infected with monkeypox virus (direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids; or respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, cuddling, or sex) or when a person comes in contact with materials (e.g., bedding, towels) that are contaminated with the virus. The risk to the US population remains low. Those who experience symptoms consistent with monkeypox, such as characteristic rashes or lesions, should contact their health care provider for a risk assessment or call DPH at 2-1-1 for assistance if you do not have a regular provider. This includes anyone who traveled to countries where monkeypox cases have been reported or has had close contact, including sexual contact, with someone who has a similar rash or received a diagnosis of suspected or confirmed monkeypox. Specific populations may be at increased risk for contracting monkeypox and are eligible for vaccination. As vaccines are currently in limited supply in LA County, individuals are encouraged to sign up for the LA County Monkeypox Newsletter to receive updates on vaccine availability….Continue Reading 7/25 Monkeypox: What you should know in LA County
Fentanyl Advisory 6/1
Anyone who has access to drugs that are not prescribed to them, and not directly dispensed to them through a pharmacy, should be advised to have Narcan, also known as naloxone, available and test any drugs for fentanyl.
- Be wary of counterfeit pills obtained through acquaintance/social media purchase.
- Assume that all non-prescribed substances contain fentanyl.
- Always have Narcan in case of an overdose.
- Never use alone (friends can save your life!).
- Test your drugs for fentanyl using fentanyl test strips.
- Start low and go slow (watch and wait before using more).
- Avoid dangerous combinations: fentanyl is especially dangerous when mixed with benzos such as Xanax and Klonopin, but mixing it unknowingly other opiates such as heroin, Vicodin, or Oxycontin or even with alcohol can also lead to an overdose very quickly.
Narcan is a covered benefit of the USC Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP/Aetna), Medi-Cal, and most other insurance plans and does not require a prescription. It can be obtained at USC Pharmacies and other retail pharmacies with a consultation with a pharmacist. Fentanyl testing strips are available at the USC Bookstores.
USC students can obtain no-cost kits containing both naloxone and testing strips through the Naloxone SC program run by graduate students in the USC School of Pharmacy.
USC Department of Public Safety’s first responders carry Narcan and are trained to administer it; the 24/7 emergency number is 213-740-4321 (UPC); 323-442-1000 (HSC)….Continue Reading Fentanyl Advisory 6/1