Health Precautions

Medical/Urgent Care Resources: Other Resources:
ExpressMed Clinic Centers for Disease Control Hotline (800) 232-4636
Texas MedClinic SA Metro Health (210) 207-8780
  Crisis Hotline (210) 223-7233


Stop Germs in Their Track!

By: Christopher Hawthorne

 Hand washing is one of the most important daily health activities that an employee can engage in to improve their health and prevent the spread of germs in the workplace. Washing your hands can also help save time and money by using less sick days, no doctor visits, and the out-of-pocket costs of insurance and medications. Wash away the germs for a healthier you!! 

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs. With flu season quickly approaching, be sure to wash your hands after going to the restroom, before eating any food, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Also, disinfect door handles, keyboards, phones, desks, faucets, and other commonly touched items. Despite widespread knowledge of the importance of handwashing, there is still room for improvement. A recent study showed that only 31% of men and 65% of women washed their hands after using a public restroom – yuck! 

So let’s get healthy by keeping our hands clean! First, wet your hands with warm water and apply soap. Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Continue rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well under running water. Dry your hands using a clean towel, air dyer, or air dry them. If you used a paper towel to dry your hands, use the towel to turn off the water facet and open the restroom door – then dispose. 

Together, we can prevent the spread of germs and lower the transmission of seasonal viruses that can make us sick. For more information, please call the UTSA Office of Emergency Management at 210-458-6851, or visit the UTSA Student Health Services website at

 Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention



Heat-Related Illnesses

How Heat and Sun Affects the Body Human

Human bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and-as the last extremity is reached-by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6 degrees. The heart begins to pump more blood, blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased flow, and the bundles of tiny capillaries threading through the upper layers of skin are put into operation. The body’s blood is circulated closer to the skin’s surface, and excess heat drains off into the cooler atmosphere. At the same time, water diffuses through the skin as perspiration. The skin handles about 90 percent of the body’s heat dissipating function.

Sweating, by itself, does nothing to cool the body, unless the water is removed by evaporation, and high relative humidity retards evaporation. The evaporation process itself works this way: the heat energy required to evaporate the sweat is extracted from the body, thereby cooling it. Under conditions of high temperature (above 90 degrees) and high relative humidity, the body is doing everything it can to maintain 98.6 degrees inside. The heart is pumping a torrent of blood through dilated circulatory vessels; the sweat glands are pouring liquid-including essential dissolved chemicals, like sodium and chloride onto the surface of the skin.

Sunburn, with its ultraviolet radiation burns, can significantly retard the skin’s ability to shed excess heat. Studies indicate that, other things being equal, the severity of heat disorders tend to increase with age-heat cramps in a 17-year-old may be heat exhaustion in someone 40, and heat stroke in a person over 60.

Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Elderly persons, small children, chronic invalids, those on certain medications or drugs (especially tranquilizers and anticholinergics), and persons with weight and alcohol problems are particularly susceptible to heat reactions, especially during heat waves in areas where a moderate climate usually prevails.

Heat Wave Safety Tips

  • Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
  • Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
  • Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.

Know These Heat Disorder Symptoms





Information from the NOAA’s National Weather Service.

Protect Yourself from Sun Exposure
Anyone outdoors is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, even on cloudy days. UV rays are a part of sunlight that is an invisible form of radiation. There are three types of UV rays. UVA is believed to damage connective tissue and increase the risk for developing skin cancer. UVB penetrates less deeply into the skin, but can still cause some types of skin cancer. Natural UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere and does not pose a risk.


Sunburn is not immediately apparent. Symptoms usually start about 4 hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24–36 hours, and resolve in 3–5 days. They include red, tender and swollen skin, blistering, headache, fever, nausea, and fatigue. In addition to the skin, eyes can become sunburned. Sunburned eyes become red, dry, painful, and feel gritty. Chronic eye exposure can cause permanent damage, including blindness.

First Aid

  • Take aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to relieve pain, headache, and fever.
  • Drink plenty of water to help replace fluid losses.
  • Comfort burns with cool baths or the gentle application of cool wet cloths.
  • Avoid further exposure until the burn has resolved.
  • Use of a topical moisturizing cream, aloe, or 1% hydrocortisone cream may provide additional relief.

If blistering occurs:

  • Lightly bandage or cover the area with gauze to prevent infect
  • Do not break blisters. (This slows healing and increases risk of infection.)
  • When the blisters break and the skin peels, dried skin fragments may be removed and an antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream may be applied.

Seek medical attention if any of the following occur:
•    Severe sunburns covering more than 15% of the body
•    Dehydration
•    High fever (>101 °F)
•    Extreme pain that persists for longer than 48 hours

Protect Yourself

  • Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun when possible.
  • Wear sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 15.   SPF refers to how long a person will be protected from a burn. (SPF 15 means a person can stay in the sun 15-times longer before burning.) SPF only refers to UVB protection.
  • To protect against UVA, look for products containing: Mexoryl, Parsol 1789, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or avobenzone.
  • Sunscreen performance is affected by wind, humidity, perspiration, and proper application.
  • Throw away sunscreens after 1–2 years (they lose potency).
  • Apply liberally (minimum of 1 oz) at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.
  • Apply to ears, scalp, lips, neck, tops of feet, and backs of hands.
  • Reapply at least every 2 hours and each time a person gets out of the water or perspires heavily.
  • Some sunscreens may lose their effectiveness when applied with insect repellents. You may need to reapply more often.
  • Wear clothing with a tight weave or high-SPF clothing.
  • Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses with UV protection and side panels.
  • Take breaks in shaded areas.

This information is from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.