Fall is finally here, which means it is time for beautiful weather, pumpkin-flavored everything, Halloween and flu season. Flu season is especially devastating on college campuses for several reasons.
First, college students are more susceptible to the flu and other illnesses than other populations. According to National Public Radio (NPR), “every year, about 1 in 4 college students get the flu.” In contrast, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 34 million Americans, or about 11 percent of Americans, got the flu during the 2014-2015 flu season.
“College students live closely together in dorms and other living situations, so [they] are more prone to catching viruses from each other,” Elizabethtown College Health Liaison Eileen Wagener said. She also said that factors such as “lack of sleep, stress [and] not eating well” compromise students’ immune systems, making them more vulnerable to the flu. It is not a coincidence that so many people get sick right around midterms and finals.
However, all hope is not lost for college students. We have several different ways to prevent contracting the flu while in college.
The most important action for students to take for preventing the flu is getting vaccinated. However, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases states that “vaccination rates on college campuses hover around 8-39%.” In addition, the survey they sent out to 18- to 24-year-old undergraduate students states that “70 percent believe it is important to get an annual flu shot.”
“You cannot get the flu from a flu shot…The flu shot is a dead virus and can’t cause the flu,” Wagener said. “Every year scientists develop the flu vaccine to match the flu viruses that they think will be circulating for the coming year’s flu season. Some years they get it right, and some years not so much, but still getting the vaccine will lessen your symptoms and duration of illness if you do get the flu.”
Getting the vaccine is important because it can take a week or more to recover from the flu, which means missing class and other activities for a week and exposing others to the flu.
Getting vaccinated not only benefits you; it benefits everyone. “Herd immunity” is a theory that if everyone in a group or community is vaccinated against a particular illness, such as the flu, everyone will be protected against that illness.
Other ways to prevent the flu are getting enough sleep (Wagener recommends seven to eight hours) and having a nutritious and well-balanced diet, which will maintain the immune system. Exercise and other activities help relieve stress by providing an outlet for it. Another important way to prevent the flu is washing your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
For students, getting a flu shot is convenient. Flu vaccines will be available in the BSC Thursday, Oct. 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. The cost will be $27, and student charge will be accepted. However, if you are not able to get a flu shot at that date and time, you can contact Wagener for a flu shot. Flu shots cost $20 at the Student Health Office on 2 Continental Drive, which is about a 15-minute walk from campus. Wagener has daily appointments available.
The vaccine takes about two weeks to protect you from getting the flu. However, flu season usually starts in November and lasts until April, so October is the ideal time to get vaccinated so you are protected before cases of the flu start appearing on campus.
Fall is a beautiful season with many fun activities available on and off-campus. Do not ruin it by getting the flu or by giving the flu to someone else.
