Sticking it to influenza
Many students stumble hopelessly around campus each year making these sounds during the winter months wishing there was a solution. Students often mistake their symptoms for a common cold when, in fact, they have the flu.
Influenza (also called the flu) is caused by a virus and infects the nose, throat and lungs. According to the CDC, around 50 million cases of the flu were reported in the US last flu season. Although most people get over the flu without any serious problems, the flu can be deadly. Every year, thousands of people have to be placed into the hospital due to flu complications such as pneumonia.
Thousands of vaccines are given out each year to help prevent people from getting the flu. Getting a flu shot will not always prevent the flu, but it can reduce the symptoms and help avoid serious complications.
Flu season is just around the corner and GCSU Student Health Services are prepared to keep our campus healthy.
Every Friday in October there will be flu shots given out to faculty, staff and students in the MSU Lounge from 10:30 am to 4 pm. The cost is only $20 payable by cash or check; students can also apply the charge to their accounts in the business office.
This year, the nursing cohort is helping Student Health Services administer the shots.
Meredith White, GCSU nursing major, encourages students to come to MSU because of the convenience and cost.
“It is cheaper than at most hospitals and it only takes a second,” White the vaccine but Alice Loper, director of student health services, puts these rumors to rest.
“We have ordered doses of the vaccine based on what we have needed in years past, so there should be plenty to go around,” Loper said.
Surprisingly, faculty usually come more often to receive the vaccine than students. Loper says this is mainly due to students’ fear of needles and the side effects of the shot. Loper said that the side effects of the shot are minor.
“One might experience soreness at the spot where the shot was given or some minor flu like symptoms, but nothing serious,” Loper said.
Loper also mentioned that this year the vaccine fights against three different strands of the flu, which is more powerful than years past.
Since the vaccine is effective, accessible, and available at a low cost, there is no reason not to get one. No one wants to be slowed down by the sniffles.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 10 2008. 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
