According to Michelle Reed, the director of the University Health Center on campus, this is the earliest flu season in a decade, with 80 percent of the country reporting severe symptoms as of January 7, 2013.
The flu season lasts from October to May each year, and one important precaution to take during this season is washing hands frequently.
“The flu virus is spread by coughing and can live on surfaces for eight to 10 hours,” said Reed. “We are constantly touching surfaces which could potentially have the flu virus on it, then touching our faces. It is estimated that people touch their face with their hands two to four times per minute.”   
However, the best way to avoid the flu is to get a flu shot.
“The flu shot reduces your risk of catching the flu by 60 percent,” said Reed. “Most of the influenza viruses analyzed by the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] are contained in this year’s flu vaccine.”
Even after being vaccinated, the CDC says it is still possible to get sick with influenza. This is possible for several reasons.
“You may be exposed to an influenza virus shortly before getting vaccinated, or during the period that it takes the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated,” said Reed. “This exposure may result in you becoming ill with flu before the vaccine begins to protect you.”
According to Reed, the antibodies that provide protection from the flu develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination.
Another reason some people will get sick after vaccination is because they are infected with a different type of influenza virus than what is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
“There are many different influenza viruses that circulate every year,” said Reed. “The composition of the flu shot is reviewed each season and updated, if needed, to protect against the three viruses that research suggests will be most common. Characterization of influenza viruses collected this season in the United States indicates that most circulating viruses are like the vaccine viruses; however, there is a smaller percentage of viruses that the vaccine would not be expected to protect against.”
Unfortunately, some people can get infected with an influenza virus that the flu vaccine is designed to protect against, despite getting vaccinated.
“Protection provided by influenza vaccination can vary widely, based in part on health and age factors of the person getting vaccinated,” said Reed. “In general, the flu vaccine works best among young healthy adults and older children. Some older people, and people with certain chronic illnesses, may develop less immunity after vaccination. While vaccination offers the best protection against influenza infection, it’s still possible that some people may become ill after being vaccinated. Influenza vaccination is not a perfect tool, but it is the best tool currently at our disposal to prevent influenza.”
Once you have caught the flu, there is a basic approach to fighting it. If any active Southeastern student believes they may be infected with the virus, they can make an appointment at the health center by filling out their basic information on the website and bringing their completed forms to the appointment.
Flu symptoms may include sudden onset fever, chills, body aches, headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, cough and diarrhea. Students who arrive at the University Health Center exhibiting flu-like symptoms will have an option to be swabbed for the flu for $20. Positive results are received within 15 minutes of testing.
“Students who test positive will be given a prescription for antiviral medications depending on symptom onset and any additional medications necessary,” said Reed. “Students who have the flu should not attend classes until they are fever free for 24 hours without the use of medications.”  
Early treatment during initial onset of symptoms is key in fighting the flu virus. This includes taking the necessary antivirals, resting for a few days, drinking at least eight glasses of water each day, washing hands frequently, limiting contact with others and not sharing things such as cell phones and beverages.
Currently, the University Health Center is out of flu shots, but they are referring people to other pharmacies in Hammond including A-1 Discount Pharmacy, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Target Pharmacy and Walgreen’s Pharmacy.
For more information on the flu, visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov.