Health center offers flu shots, wellness tips
Jessica Battersby
Issue date: 11/6/08 Section: News
It's that time of year again when the sounds of coughing and sniffling become as common as leaves rustling on the ground. Just like the holidays, cold weather is around the corner, promising to make the flu more prominent. Students wishing to make it through the last stretch of the semester must take care of themselves.
The health center offers flu shots for only $18. Students can schedule appointments at their own convenience by calling the health center or by scheduling in person.
Influenza, or the flu as it is more commonly known, has been known to be fatal for a small ratio of people every year, but it is rare except for among the very young and very old.
The flu shot does not make someone immune to every strain of influenza, unfortunately. Flu strains constantly mutate, making it nearly impossible to make a shot that covers all strains. Scientists who make the flu shot every year make it for the most common strain in an area for that year. Since the flu changes so often, last year's flu shot won't necessarily protect anyone from this year's flu.
Barb Nash, the health director, recommends that as many students as possible get the shot now because it takes at least two weeks for one's body to become fully immune to the strain of influenza. It is also recommended by the Center for Disease Control, especially for college students, who spend so much time in large groups of people.
Many common misconceptions about the flu exist. First of all, one cannot get the flu from the flu shot. It is very likely someone will feel out of sorts for a few days, but that is only because the body's immune system is adjusting. A person's arm may feel sore for a little while after getting the flu shot, but that almost exhausts the side effects.
Many students call the health center thinking they have the flu because they have been vomiting. This is not the flu. Influenza is a respiratory virus that hits fast and will have one coughing within hours. Some victims of the virus, however, cough so hard that they make themselves vomit.
There are a lot of ways to decrease one's risk of getting the flu. Hand washing is key to preventing the flu. People come into contact with millions of germs each day through their hands. People should avoid touching their faces because the germs from their hands can enter their eyes, mouth, or nose.
Sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils is also warned against.
Receiving a proper amount of sleep throughout the week also helps in avoiding the flu. Simply catching up on sleep over the weekends do little impact.
Stress also affects one's immune system. Exercising, relaxation, and yoga can help.
Staff wanting flu shots must prepay at the finance office and can walk in on Mondays from three to four p.m., Wednesdays from twelve to one p.m., and Fridays from eight to nine a.m.
jbatters@capital.edu
The health center offers flu shots for only $18. Students can schedule appointments at their own convenience by calling the health center or by scheduling in person.
Influenza, or the flu as it is more commonly known, has been known to be fatal for a small ratio of people every year, but it is rare except for among the very young and very old.
The flu shot does not make someone immune to every strain of influenza, unfortunately. Flu strains constantly mutate, making it nearly impossible to make a shot that covers all strains. Scientists who make the flu shot every year make it for the most common strain in an area for that year. Since the flu changes so often, last year's flu shot won't necessarily protect anyone from this year's flu.
Barb Nash, the health director, recommends that as many students as possible get the shot now because it takes at least two weeks for one's body to become fully immune to the strain of influenza. It is also recommended by the Center for Disease Control, especially for college students, who spend so much time in large groups of people.
Many common misconceptions about the flu exist. First of all, one cannot get the flu from the flu shot. It is very likely someone will feel out of sorts for a few days, but that is only because the body's immune system is adjusting. A person's arm may feel sore for a little while after getting the flu shot, but that almost exhausts the side effects.
Many students call the health center thinking they have the flu because they have been vomiting. This is not the flu. Influenza is a respiratory virus that hits fast and will have one coughing within hours. Some victims of the virus, however, cough so hard that they make themselves vomit.
There are a lot of ways to decrease one's risk of getting the flu. Hand washing is key to preventing the flu. People come into contact with millions of germs each day through their hands. People should avoid touching their faces because the germs from their hands can enter their eyes, mouth, or nose.
Sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils is also warned against.
Receiving a proper amount of sleep throughout the week also helps in avoiding the flu. Simply catching up on sleep over the weekends do little impact.
Stress also affects one's immune system. Exercising, relaxation, and yoga can help.
Staff wanting flu shots must prepay at the finance office and can walk in on Mondays from three to four p.m., Wednesdays from twelve to one p.m., and Fridays from eight to nine a.m.
jbatters@capital.edu
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