2008 Woodie Awards
RSSNothing to sneeze at
By Sarah Miller
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: Lifestyle
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You're down for the count.
The cold and flu season is fast approaching, as well as finals. So what can you do to keep yourself out of it's grasp?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most effective way to protect against the flu is to get the flu vaccine.
Lehigh's Nursing Director and Nurse Practitioner Adriane Stasurak said the flu season can begin as early as October, so it's important to get vaccinated now before the season strikes.
There are some clear differences between a cold and the flu.
According to the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, the common cold is caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract, and symptoms include: nasal congestion, sore throat, dry cough, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing and swollen or tender glands in the neck.
The flu virus, however, extends to the lower respiratory tract.
Unlike the common cold, it is accompanied by a high fever, usually around 104 degrees, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion.
Furthermore, the CDC says that older people, children and those with specific health problems can acquire serious complications from the flu.
These can include sinus and ear infections, bacterial pneumonia, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, congestive heart failure, or diabetes."
But, for the most part, students are young and healthy. So what makes college students so susceptible to contracting the flu?
Cold and flu viruses spread from person to person by coughing, sneezing or touching something that's infected with the virus and then touching your mouth.
The risk of respiratory germs spreading to others is increased when people live in close contact, Stasurak said.
Living in dorms, sharing bathrooms, classrooms and other facilities and attending crowded parties makes college a prime environment for cold and flu transmission.
Lehigh students also believe stress adds to their susceptibility.
Graduate student Chris Wojciechowski said he believes students' erratic sleep schedules make them more sensitive to cold and flu viruses.
Lehigh students are aware that the cold and flu are prevalent on campus, but many say they are choosing not to get vaccinated this year.
