While influenza cases continue to decline at USC, Chief Campus Health Officer Dr. Sarah Van Orman said the weeks directly after spring break historically bring a spike of respiratory and flu viruses to campus. Van Orman said it is important for people traveling to get their influenza vaccine, wash their hands and use sun protection, in a briefing with campus media Tuesday.

“The other advice I sometimes give people is to wear a mask, particularly in transit hubs such as airports. We know those are actually places where we do see a lot of spread of viruses,” Van Orman said. “If you are traveling, consider bringing with you a [COVID-19] swab, or one of those combination COVID-flu swabs, so you have that in your bag just in case you do become ill.” 

When traveling to international locations, Van Orman recommended that students avoid fresh fruit and vegetables that had not been washed or peeled, as well as raw meat, to prevent “traveler’s diarrhea” and other intestinal infections. Van Orman also advised groups traveling together to communicate and have a safety plan in place.

Daily headlines, sent straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest at and around USC.

“If you are traveling in a different location, traveling with friends, talk with your friends about how you’re going to set up safety plans with each other in terms of making sure you’re traveling in groups, that you’re not leaving people alone, that you’re aware of what you might be drinking. Is it adulterated? Is there something in it?” Van Orman said. 

Van Orman recommended using condoms and speaking to one’s health care provider about Pre-exposure prophylaxis if they planned on having new sexual partners over spring break, as Student Health historically sees a surge in sexually transmitted infections after spring break. 

The measles outbreak in the United States has reached nine states, with 164 cases reported. Van Orman said spring break was a great opportunity for students to check their vaccination status and that it was never too late to be vaccinated against measles. Van Orman said the measles vaccine was important for individual and community health: Measles will not spread if 95% of the community is vaccinated.

 However, if vaccination rates drop, immunocompromised people and children under 4 — who are not fully vaccinated — will be put at risk.

“Unfortunately, the measles risk is very real right now in a lot of the U.S., and it’s going to be just a matter of time before we see it on more campuses,” Van Orman said. “Measles is one of the most contagious viruses. So, even if you have just a few people not vaccinated, it’ll just spread wildly.”

Van Orman said Student Health is in the process of collecting data related to injuries on campus. She said the latest injury data revealed general falls and recreational sports as the first and second most common causes of injury, with scooters and skateboards third and fourth. However, falls from scooters and skateboards were more likely to cause head injuries than recreational sports.

To reduce injuries, Van Orman recommended slowing down in congested areas, not riding scooters or skateboards with earbuds in both ears, and exercising caution when riding at night or under the influence of alcohol. Van Orman also recommended that students wear helmets to reduce the risk of concussions.

“I rarely, rarely, rarely see people doing this, but wear a helmet. I know it seems silly, but helmets are highly, highly protective against having any serious [injuries]. I always say, our brains don’t heal as well from falls as our arms and legs do,” Van Orman said. “If you’re going to do anything, just slow down. Pay attention. Wear a helmet.”