Vaccinations and hand washing: Luther's flu education
Date 11/11/2004 12:00 AM | Topic: NewsAs fall comes to a close, students have many things to dread. Finals are one. Winter weather is another. The last reason goes hand-in-hand with the previous two-the flu.
However, this year there is one more reason to worry about the flu-the much talked about flu vaccination shot shortage.
Half of the United States' annual supply of influenza vaccines comes from the Chiron Corporation in England. When the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of England suspended Chiron's license to manufacture the Fluvirin vaccine for 3 months in it's Liverpool facility because of contaminated batches of the vaccine, it meant that the 2004-2005 flu season would be short half the expected amount of flu shots.
For students at Luther, it means that shots will not be available. The shortage of the vaccine has meant that only people considered a priority will receive the vaccine this season.
This priority group is made up of infants, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and people in the health care profession that come in contact with the flu virus while giving patient care.
With the vaccine shortage groups such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC), American College Health Association (ACHA) and the Iowa Department of Public Health are encouraging people to know about the ways to protect yourself from getting the flu in any way.
The first and best way to stop the spread of the flu is by stopping the spread of the germs that cause it.
Covering your mouth and nose while coughing or sneezing and throwing away dirty tissues is the first step in preventing the spread of germs, plus it is the courteous thing to do.
JoEllen Anderson, director of student Health Service said, "Good hand washing is your primary defense against picking up germs."
Washing your hands properly is important. Most people do not wash their hands long enough. To properly wash your hands, ensuring all the germs have been removed, you need to use soap and warm water and then rub your hands for 15-20 seconds.
Luther College Student Nurse, Jennifer Kidd, suggests singing "Happy Birthday" twice. Singing in the bathroom may get you a few odd looks, but it is a small price to pay for your health.
Even students who don't feel sick can spread the flu without realizing that they themselves have it. Students can catch the flu and not have any of the visable symptoms for 1-2 days.
The symptoms of the flu include: muscle aches, fever and chills, headache, dry cough and weakness. If students notice the symptoms within the first 48 hours of contraction an anti-viral medication can be taken that can usually stop the disease before it does any harm.
Anti-viral medication usually shortens the length of illness one to two days. Any student in need of an anti-viral can find them available in Health Service.
Even if all the precautions are taken, viruses can still infect any student. Students who catch the flu are being asked to stay home, not just for their own good, but for the good of anyone they might come in contact with.
With the shortage of the vaccine, the CDC has been telling people that if they get the flu and feel it will be easily treatable, not to see the doctor.
If the symptoms do not go away after seven days, or they get worse after they get better students are encouraged to see a doctor.
Anderson gave some advice to all of the Luther students.
"If you do get the flu, it is best to even have a roommate or friend get your food from the cafeteria to not risk spreading the disease to anyone," Anderson said.
--
Nick Lane
[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]
