Feeling drowsy, achy or run down? The flu virus may have already reached you. It’s that time of year again where the flu virus is spreading like crazy. The severity of the flu season varies every year and is always unpredictable.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the strength of this year’s flu virus is particularly bad. Boston has already announced a public health emergency, and Pennsylvania has set up hospital tents specifically for the overflow of flu victims. The flu season started early this year, and it’s time to take action.
The first step to avoiding the flu virus is taking preventative measures. Getting the flu vaccination is by far the best way to protect against the virus. It’s always best to get the flu shot early, but the real flu season can last anywhere from October through May, so it’s never too late to get vaccinated.
Getting the vaccine not only protects you, it also protects everyone around you, especially those who are at high risk. Children less than five years old, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and people who have certain medical conditions that compromise the immune system are most at risk for obtaining the flu.
It is especially important for high-risk individuals or people who live with, or care for, high-risk individuals to get vaccinated. Getting the flu vaccine will prevent you from being a carrier of the virus so you will not be able to transmit it to others.
Along with getting the flu vaccine, there are simple things you can do to prevent the spreading of germs. Washing hands often is important, especially on a university campus where thousands of students come and go every day.
The flu vaccine takes around two weeks before it has built immunity and is active, so it is crucial to wash hands to build a barrier between yourself and the germs you are exposed to. Hand washing also protects against the common cold. It’s amazing how effective this simple task is. Make sure to always cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of germs.
Also, avoid touching your face, eyes and nose. Coughing, sneezing and even talking are all ways the flu virus can be transmitted, so taking basic measures like covering your mouth can eliminate the spread of germs.
Touching infected surfaces and then touching your own face can easily infect you with the virus.
Next, it is very important to sustain a healthy immune system during the long flu season. Someone with a bogged-down immune system will have an easier chance
of being affected by the flu virus. As college students, many of us lack the proper amount of sleep, don’t always have the healthiest diet and stress far too much for a healthy lifestyle.
In order to stay healthy, it’s important to get around eight hours of sleep a night. It’s also essential to have a balanced diet, including a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Students need to learn how to manage stress levels while in college, whether this be by going to yoga, engaging in physical activity or going to Laughter Club.
Everyone is different, so try out different opportunities and see what works best for you. All of these factors will work together to prevent you from being susceptible to the flu virus.
So what’s next? Get the flu vaccine if you haven’t, wash your hands often, cover your mouth and keep your immune system strong by eating healthy. The flu hasn’t reached its peak yet, but it’s heading that way. Let’s keep our campus healthy and protect the ones who are at high risk of catching the flu this season.
Flu shots are available at the Student Health Clinic. You can set an appointment by calling 885-6693, or walk-in appointments are available.
Michelle Wilson is a Health Education Intern and can be reached at [email protected]