Fall is a time for pumpkin spice everything, the trees becoming a beautiful array of colors, and, most notably, the advent of cold and flu season. Flu activity begins to increase in October and peaks in December and February. It is unknown why, but it could be because when it gets colder out, people are inside more, so they are more likely to breathe in the air of someone who is affected. A lack of sunlight in the winter could weaken the immune system due to the lack of vitamin D, and the influenza virus may survive better in colder climates.
In order to understand the best ways to help prevent the flu, it is first necessary to discuss what the flu is. The flu is a highly contagious viral respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It is often spread through the coughs and sneezes of an infected individual. Influenza virus is a microscopic infectious agent that invades cells where it makes copies of itself. It causes inflammation, which results in flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include fever, headache, cold sweats, aches, exhaustion, sore throat, and stuffy nose. The flu is often confused with other viruses because it shares common symptoms with the common cold, but it is milder than the flu.
The best way to reduce the risk of getting the flu is to get vaccinated. It is unknown how many Central Connecticut State University students are vaccinated against the flu, as the school does not track people’s flu status on campus because it is an optional vaccine. The flu vaccine uses a deactivated or weakened version of the influenza virus, which trains the body to recognize the protein on the virus’s surface. The exposure causes the immune system to develop antibodies against the flu.
“A vaccine is releasing antigens into one’s system so that we can be exposed to this virus and build up the immunity and fight it off if we were to ever come in contact with this disease,” said Taionna Strums LPN.
It is crucial to get a flu vaccine every year because the influenza virus has a property called antigenic drift, which is when the flu changes slowly over time. These changes happen often enough that the immune system cannot recognize the flu year to year.
The flu vaccine, like all medications, can cause side effects. Expected side effects of the vaccine include soreness, headache, low-grade fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. These side effects are usually mild and only last a day or two. It shows that the vaccine is training your immune system to protect itself from the virus. However, the pros of being better able to handle the flu should outweigh the cons of feeling sick for a day or two. As Rosalynn Bravo-Cavoli MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC, AE-C, a pulmonary pediatric nurse practitioner, said, “Feeling a little sick after the vaccine shows your immune system is working as it should.”
There are other ways to prevent getting the flu, such as practicing good hygiene, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and avoiding contact with people you know are sick. It is also important to stay home when you are sick. Staying home and missing class may be challenging for college students because they fear falling behind if they miss class. Nevertheless, if you let your teacher know why you are not coming to class, they should work with you and not hold it against you.
It is important to stay home when sick to keep your peers, professors, and their families safe. The average healthy college student’s immune system can fight off the flu, but if you are older or immunocompromised, the flu can be life-threatening and result in death. You never know who is immunocompromised, has family who is immunocompromised or how detrimental the flu can be for them. As such, staying home is a way to prevent spreading illness to others.
Overall, flu season is upon us, but there are steps we can take to make sure we and our community stay safe, such as getting the vaccine, good hand hygiene, and staying home while sick.
