Rhonda Harris-Scott
Health Columnist
From doctor’s offices to political offices, the flu shot is a hot topic. Many people have seen the reports on television about the shortage of flu vaccines across the nation. These reports have caused many people who have never gotten the flu shot before to call their doctors to try to get appointments. Companies are paying four times the customary price to get vaccines for their high-risk populations, and the elderly are waiting in the hot sun for five hours to prevent the flu. But what is the flu, anyway?
Influenza, the flu, is a virus (Orthomyxovirus) that occurs in three types: Type A, B and C, depending on its protein makeup. Type B causes moderate to severe symptoms in humans, and Type C is the mildest form of the influenza virus. Type A causes the greatest concern for humans because it has many strains. Humans “come down” with this infection via respiratory droplets from human to human interaction. These tiny droplets are spread by sneezing, laughing, talking and coughing. The flu is a very contagious, acute respiratory illness that has been known to spread throughout communities causing epidemics. Normally, less than one fifth of the population will get the flu during flu season (November through March). It is the high-risk portion of the population where concern is the greatest. This is because the geriatric community, young children and people with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and people who have compromised immune systems can have serious complications that could lead to death.
The symptoms most commonly associated with the flu include high fever, dry cough, head and body aches, sore throat, congestion, runny and/or stuffy nose and fatigue. These symptoms are usually experienced one to four days after being infected with the virus and may last for up to two weeks. The flu can be transmitted before the onset of symptoms and after the symptoms have subsided. The extended transmission period makes it important for everyone to employ the two most common prevention methods: covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and good hand washing techniques.
Of course by now many people are familiar with the influenza vaccine (the “flu shot”) as a method of prevention. This year the Centers for Disease Control has advised the healthy population to abstain from receiving the flu shot due to the nationwide shortage of the vaccine. This measure will allow the high-risk population the opportunity to receive the flu shot first.
Most people will not need to visit a doctor for treatment of the flu. The most common treatments recommended are rest, hydration and over the counter medications that relieve symptoms such as decongestants, antihistamine, cough suppressants and fever reducers. People may need to see a doctor if their symptoms continue to worsen, if they have difficulty breathing or chest pain, if they are coughing up yellowish-green sputum or if they are beginning to feel confused. If you or anyone you know is experiencing these complications, please call the Student Health Center at ext. 4316 to be seen by our staff.
11-4-2004
