The cool days of autumn and the falling foliage signal that flu and cold season is just around the corner. One of the first steps in preparing for it is getting the flu shot for many on campus.
Ouachita Health Services has flu shots in stock. The cost is $15 which can be payed with cash, check or the shot can be charged to individual Ouachita accounts if a credit receipt from Student Financial Services is presented.
Flu season has affected Ouachita in various ways throughout the years.
“I had one student who came in that said the flu took him out for two weeks,” said Molly Wallace, campus nurse. “The severity of the flu depends on how fast you get treatment.”
Flu season at Ouachita typically does not begin until around the end of January. When Ouachita’s flu season begins “depends on how many students get their flu shots,” Wallace said.
When students first feel ill, they can go to Health Services. “They can come see me, and then if they have flu-like symptoms, we can send them to a physician,” Wallace said. “The earlier students seek treatment, the better.”
Students can prepare for the flu season in more ways than just receiving a vaccine. “It’s a good time to renew your hygiene habits such as washing your hands and covering your coughs,” said Dr. Wesley Kluck, university physician. “Pretty much, do all the things your mom taught you to do.”
Ouachita’s flu season tends to follow a busy week on campus.
“Flu season typically accelerates during Rush/Pledge Weeks because of close contact with people,” Kluck said. “The key is most people get colds and the flu from direct contact with a person, and the contact is usually hands.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the flu spreads in respiratory droplets when infected people cough or sneeze. People can also become infected by touching something with the influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
The CDC suggests three things to fight the flu. First, get the flu shot. Second, take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs. Finally, take flu antiviral drugs if the doctor prescribes them. They will help your immune system fight the flu.
“Because colds and the flu are caused by a virus, the body’s immune system is what actually overcomes the illness,” Kluck said. “So you want to do things to ensure your immune system is at full strength.”
To strengthen the immune system students can “eat well balanced and regular meals, get regular and adequate sleep and drink lots of fluids,” Kluck said. “The most common causes of an improperly functioning immune system are stress, lack of sleep and an improper diet.”
Another thing students can think about doing is having a flu preparedness plan.
“Have a plan worked out for how you will handle classes because if you get the flu, you’re not going to class,” Kluck said.
Flu shots can be received Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shots may also be received Tuesday and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Health Services can be reached at 245-5244 or by e-mailing wallacem@obu.edu.
Photo courtesy of mcfarlandmo.
