The Health Center is gearing up for flu season this fall, and they’re expecting a full house.
“According to county reports, the flu season is early this year, and cases are being reported locally,” said Nancy Safinick, director of Pepperdine University’s Health Center. Along with many other universities, Pepperdine is making early preparations to fend off the spread of the virus around campus, including offering flu shots to students.
The flu season is often found in the colder months but is not strictly limited to winter. In fact, the virus may easily emerge in the fall or spring. In the past the flu has been one of the most common complaints that the Health Center sees on campus.
The acute febrile infection spreads quickly though dorm rooms, as the sickness spreads quickly. “Students are at high risk because of living in dorms where infections can spread quickly, and because of compromised immune systems due to inadequate sleep and nutrition,” Safinick said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu virus is most commonly passed from person to person through respiratory droplets found in coughs and sneezes. The CDC estimates that on average 5 to 20 percent of U.S. residents get the flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. The virus can also become more complicated for infants, pregnant women, the elderly and those living together.
“I tried as much as possible to stay away from my roommate when she had the flu last year, but I ended up catching it anyways,” senior Nakeisha Boozer said. She was one of the unlucky few who had not received the flu shot last year.
“I wish I would have gone to the Health Center,” she said. Students around campus were in agreement with Boozer, claiming that the flu shot helped them avoid unnecessary illness.
“I received the flu shot last year and was able to interact with people in my dorm,” said sophomore Alex Brooker. The Sociology major was able to avoid skipping class due to the virus, while the rest of his dorm were fending off sore throats and headaches.
“It was speedy and quick. I don’t think I could have asked for better service,” Brooker said.
Safinick is warning others who live on campus to take extra precautions against the flu this year. “Avoid contact with others who are ill and wash hands frequently,” Safinick said.
She also recommends that students with chronic medical problems should call the Health Center and make an appointment if they come in close contact with someone with the flu at (310) 506-4316.
Those who are “burning the candle at both ends” are advised by the Health Center to drink plenty of water and balance their lives by eating well, decreasing their stress levels, exercising and getting plenty of sleep. Those who choose to ignore bodily signals of fatigue may become more susceptible to catching the virus.
“The usual symptoms include a sudden onset of high fever, body ache, sore throat, dry cough, headache, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, chills, stuffy nose, feeling overly tired or fatigued and can include stomach symptoms, sneezing and wheezing,” Safinick said.
Flu shots on campus are free and available to every student. As the strains are constantly changing, it is important that each student be immunized. In addition to the vaccination, the Health Center will be hosting “flu clinics,” across campus in the upcoming weeks to help raise awareness. The notorious “Stick or Treat” is also reappearing at Pepperdine just in time for the Halloween holiday. On Oct. 27 from 4 to 6 p.m., students are welcome to stop by the Health Center for both the free shot and candy.
Those who fall ill can contact the Health Center immediately at their round-the-clock nursing advice line, on call at 800-413-0848. The line is available to students who have questions when the Health Center is not open. If symptoms worsen, Malibu Urgent Care and the Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center are both open for service.
