Fighting flu infection

     It’s the season for sniffles, sneezes and sickness ,but GCSU Student Health Services is here to help. Starting last week, the flu vaccine is now available to GCSU students and faculty for $20.
     The beginning of the flu season starts in November and lasts until April, making this month the prime time to get protected. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the single best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine every year.
     This year GCSU Health Services ordered 300 doses of the Influenza vaccine, 100 more than last year. According to Alice Loper, director of Student Health Services, only 181 flu shots have been administered so far, the majority to GCSU faculty.
Marlene Lovejoy, GCSU admission specialist, found out about GCSU flu shots through the faculty email.
     “It’s so wonderful and convenient. I get a flu shot every year ever since I got the flu really bad in my 20s,” Lovejoy said.
According to the CDC, over 200,000 people are hospitalized each year for the flu, which results in more than 69 million missed work and school days. With the flu season peaking right around finals week, a $20 flu shot might be a good idea, just ask Robin Eckenroth.
     “I got the flu this past spring and I thought I was dying,” Eckenroth, a junior music therapy major, said. Eckenroth’s flu developed into an upper respiratory infection and landed her a trip to the hospital.
     On average, it takes about one to two weeks to recover from the flu, but in some cases, like with Eckenroth, the flu can lead to more serious health problems like bacterial infections and pneumonia.
     For Tara Lanciotti, getting a flu shot is a must.
     “I get sick every year,” Lanciotti, junior mass communication major said. “I didn’t get (a flu shot) last year and ended up in the hospital in January and again in June.” The only drawback, Lanciotti warns, is a sore arm, but to prevent a trip to the hospital, it’s well worth it.
     With the risk of super sexy sneezing fits, snotty problems, mean migraines, and constantly feeling like your body just got run over by the Bobcat Shuttle, getting a flu shot might just be the best $20 you’ll ever spend.
     To get your shot, come by the Student Health Services, located in the front of Beeson Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:15 to 4:30 p.m. Flu shots will be available until they run out and the cost is $20 cash, check or via your Bobcat Card.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 12 2007. 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