Your Top Questions Answered
Question: Why is it important to get a flu shot this year?
Answer: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, it is even more critical than usual to receive a flu vaccination to protect yourself and other vulnerable populations. Interventions, such as getting vaccinated for the flu, can help lessen disease transmission, hospitalization and ICU utilization as well as decrease the likelihood of a surge in health care systems. In addition,
the symptoms of influenza and COVID-19 are similar. They are not identical diseases, but in an individual patient, it can be difficult to tell the difference. Both can cause fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches and headache. Other signs of COVID-19, different from the flu, may include change in or loss of taste or smell.
Question: Can I schedule multiple asymptomatic tests at one time?
Answer: All students living on campus and coming to the university are required to participate in an asymptomatic test at least twice a month with no more than 16 days between tests. Similarly, students, faculty and staff residing in the San Diego area are also encouraged to participate in voluntary asymptomatic testing twice monthly, even if they are not coming to campus. Students will receive an email reminder on day 10 to schedule their next test. Students living off-campus, as well as faculty and staff, are responsible for maintaining their own regular testing reminders. Asymptomatic tests can only be scheduled one at a time through the online scheduling tool (this might change). When you login to schedule your test, you must know your Active Directory user name and password. If you have issues scheduling, try switching web browsers.
Question: If I tested positive for COVID-19 and have recovered, should I resume the recommended twice monthly asymptomatic testing?
Answer: Currently we recommend that people who have tested positive wait for 90 days to get tested again. One of the reasons is that the test we use is extremely sensitive. It can result in a positive test for up to two months after you have had an infection. But, now armed with antibodies, you are not at risk of transmitting the virus to others. We are currently using the CDC guidelines regarding when it is safe to be around others and return to work after an infection. After 90 days you should begin the twice monthly testing program again. Immunity to coronaviruses is not long-lasting and there are now reports in the medical literature of people becoming reinfected with a new strain of virus as soon as three months after recovery from the first infection.
