As the widespread flu season gets into full swing at Penn State Altoona, on campus doctors say students should be taking proper measures to prevent the flu from hitting them.
This year alone the Health and Wellness Center has diagnosed over a hundred students with the flu. Billie lewis, physician assistant and Health and Wellness supervisor, said that January and February are the busiest times of year and each of the three physician assistants on campus are currently averaging 15 to 25 appointments per day.
Lena H. Sun of The Washington Post wrote that, “this season, the predominant strain is also the nastiest, H3N2, which causes the worst outbreaks of the two influenza A viruses and two types of influenza B viruses … Seasons when H3N2 strain dominates are associated with more hospitalizations, more deaths and more illnesses.”
Students who may be concerned that they have the flu should look for the symptoms of fever, body aches, fatigue, and cough. To prevent confusion between a regular cold and a flu diagnosis students should particularly look for the fever and body aches.
The simplest ways to prevent getting the flu is to “wash your hands. Don’t go to class/work if you are sick. Wear a mask if you have a fever and have to go out,” Lewis said. “(but) the best way is still the flu shot.”
Typically, around 200 students get a flu shot from the on campus Health and Wellness Center and it’s not too late to get yours according to Lewis. Flu shots are still being offered at the Health and Wellness Center and can be arranged by scheduling an appointment online here.
As far as if the flu shots are effective Lewis said, “It varies from year to year depending on accuracy. The important part to remember is that even if the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says it is not as accurate it still provides those that had the vaccine and that get the flu with a less significant infection.”
Once a correct diagnosis of the flu is made by a doctor the treatments are very straight forward. “Antipyretics (fever reducer medicine), fluids, rest, over-the -counter medication. There is a prescription medication called Tamiflu that can help with flu symptoms but must be started within 72 hours of onset of symptoms,” Lewis said.
Lewis also mentioned that those with generally healthy immune systems recover within a short amount of time but those who are pregnant, young, or elderly have a longer recovery period and should be extra cautious at trying to prevent getting the flu.