Lipscomb's Health Center provides tips on avoiding catching the flu this year
Grace Mestad |
Although the temperatures don’t reflect it, cold and flu season is right around the corner. Flu season begins in mid-October and increases through the winter months as the temperatures drop and more people spend time inside. College campuses, such as Lipscomb University are the perfect place for the flu to spread.
According the Center for Disease Control, the best way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated every year. The CDC suggests that those interested in getting vaccinated should do so prior to the end of October because it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu.
The flu can be contracted numerous ways, the most common being from germs spread through coughing, sneezing or even simply talking. They can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your own mouth, eyes or nose.
Erin Keckely, director of Lipscomb’s Health Services Center, explains the importance of avoiding spreading and contracting the flu on campus.
“Due to a large population living in close proximity to one another, such as on campus, prevention is vital. The best prevention technique is vaccination,” said Keckely. “Flu vaccination is available at various flu clinics on campus, local pharmacies and daily at the university health center. If someone has flu-like symptoms, decrease your exposure to others. Hand washing and surface cleaning are also important to decrease the spread as well.”
Taking preventative steps to avoid the flu this season is important for more than just your personal health. The CDC website explains that getting vaccinated not only helps you, but those around you as well, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illnesses, like babies and young children, elderly individuals and individuals with chronic health conditions.
The flu vaccine can be obtained from the health center on campus, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. The cost is $20 for students and non-faculty members. Full-time Lipscomb employees will be eligible for free flu vaccinations as a part of the full-time employee health benefit package, and spouses of full-time employees will be eligible for a discounted price of $12.
Vaccinations can also be administered at various flu clinics around campus or at any pharmacy or walk-in clinic around town as well.
Tips in avoiding the flu this year:
- Getting vaccinated
- Frequent hand washing
- Staying away from others with diagnosed influenza
- Covering coughs and sneezes
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that may host germs
- If someone has a fever above 100.3 and has flu-like symptoms including chills, fatigue, body aches, congestion — they are contagious and should stay home.
For more information on preventing the flu visit www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm
For more information on flu vaccinations or other services provided by Lipscomb’s Health center contact HealthServices [at] lipscomb.edu ()