Student Health Services administers flu shots

The chilly weather and the rich, golden colors of the falling leaves mark the beginning of several seasons associated with the Fall and Winter months: football season, the holiday season and, unfortunately, flu season.
Student Health Services at GCSU offered flu shots to students and faculty for the first time this semester on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Beeson Hall.
The process was quick and simple, and recipients were generally in and out within 10 minutes. By the end of the day, the staff administered over 70 shots with no tears shed and only a few whimpers heard. Most recipients were just glad they remembered to stop by and get the shot.
“I usually get one every year, around this time,” said Corinne Burstein, a freshman mass communication major. “My parents always want me to. I hadn’t planned on getting it done today, but I read the announcement in my e-mail this morning and decided to stop by.”
Flu season officially begins in October and ends in May, but according to the Centers for Disease Control, the peak season is from December to the beginning of March. The flu is a respiratory virus referred to as influenza in medical terms. If contracted, the virus can cause high fever, a runny nose, extreme fatigue and body aches, nausea and even vomiting and diarrhea. Generally, the elderly and young children are at higher risk for contracting the flu, but no one is completely immune to the highly contagious virus.
Susan Loper, director of Student Health Services, said, generally, more of the faculty and staff take advantage of the vaccine offer than students.
“ I think students just
don’t want to get stuck,” Loper said. “A little sting and a sore arm are worth it to protect you from the flu.”

FLU SHOTS Page 3
Continued from Page 1…

Loper also attributes the cost as another deterrent for students. But she insists the $18 price tag is a bargain.
“We don’t make any profit from this, we only charge what it costs us to buy the vaccine. Most doctors offices will charge $35 and the public health department charges $30 for the shot.”
According to www.flufacts.com, some other ways students can reduce their chances, as well as their peers’ chances, of getting the flu are simple health-habit tips. Hand washing is a good way to prevent the spread of possible flu infected germs and always using a tissue whenever the need to sneeze arises. Students should also try not to share drinking glasses.
While good health habits will help, a flu shot is the best measure to take when it comes to flu prevention. Still, many students feel a flu shot is not a necessity for them.
“I don’t think I will get one this year,” said Mike Heath, a sophomore environmental science major. “ I have never gotten one before and I haven’t had the flu in years. Maybe if they advertised the offer more, I would think it was more important that I get the shot.”
Student Health Services will offer the vaccine until they run out, but they insist there is plenty to go around. The date and time for the next offer is still to be announced, but students will be notified by e-mail. The shot can be paid for with cash, check or it can be billed to the student’s account.
For more flu information, visit the GCSU Student Health Services website at http://info.gcsu.
edu/intranet/health_services/studenthealth/.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Nov 10 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry