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Seasonal Flu Prevention

The “flu,” or influenza, is a contagious, viral respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe illness. Symptoms include fever, dry cough, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, and headache. Sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur. Each year in the U.S., an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population get the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications of the flu, and about 36,000 persons die from the flu. The single best measure to prevent getting the flu is to get vaccinated each year. Two types of vaccine are available:

 

• The nasal-spray flu vaccine (LAIV) is made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu. This vaccine is approved for use in healthy people five years to 49 years of age. The nasal spray is not advised for asthmatics or during pregnancy.
• The “flu shot” is a vaccine which contains killed virus. It is given in the form of an injection for persons older than 6 months. The flu shot is strongly recommended for asthmatics and is considered safe during pregnancy.

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October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but vaccination is still effective in December and later. Generally, the flu season begins as early as October and lasts as late as May. Antibodies that provide protection against the flu develop in about two weeks after receiving the vaccination.

Since flu viruses spread mainly from person to person, it is important to take measures to stop the spread of germs that make you and others ill. Two important ways to prevent the spread of germs are:

• Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand cleaner.

 

Since college students live closely together, they are at a higher risk of exposure. Students who have chronic illnesses, like asthma, Crohn’s disease, diabetes or who are Nursing students, Health care workers or Early Learning Center volunteers are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated. To address the needs of our students, the Engle Center will once again have the flu shot available for $25 fee, which covers the vaccine and administration. We have a limited amount of vaccine available; therefore, it will be administered on a first come first served basis. The flu shot campaign will be announced through mass email notices in October. Criteria for postponing vaccination include: significant upper respiratory symptoms, cough, sore throat or fever>100 degrees.

If you chose not to get the flu shot, there are antiviral medications that can be used to treat the flu, should you contract the illness, but they should be started within the first

48 hours of symptoms. These medications are often expensive and sometimes not covered by insurances.

 

For more information about the flu and preventative measures, visit the following Website: www.cdc.gov/flu/protect.  Stay well!