464 students visited the Student Health medical providers from Jan. 10 to Feb. 8 with Influenza symptoms. Most of the sick had not received Flu vaccines this season. The actual number of students with the Flu is likely higher if those who self-treated, received telephone medical advice or received medical care outside of Student Health are included.
A breakdown of the cases included: 50 percent male, 50 percent female; 87 percent undergraduate; 85 percent age 23 and under; 65.7 percent living off-campus, and 34.3 percent on-campus.
A breakdown by college of enrollment included: 21.8 percent CHASS, 18.8 percent Engineering, 15.9 percent CALS, 11.4 percent Management, 6.9 percent Undergraduate Studies, 6.7 percent PAMS, 5.8 percent Natural Resources, 5.4 percent Textiles and 7.3 percent other.
Flu is not unique to the University, but is a reflection of flu activity nationally, in North Carolina and in Wake County. Additional cases are expected, possibly extending into April.
Flu is spread by a sick person through droplets from the nose or mouth, or something contaminated by a sick person’s droplets. The virus may live up to eight hours on hard surfaces, such as wood or plastic, fewer hours on fabric or paper and as many as twenty minutes on the hands.
Flu often starts suddenly with symptoms including fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, sore throat, cough, nasal symptoms, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
A person with the Flu can be contagious the day before symptoms show and for about a week after they have passed; it is considered most contagious during the days with fever. The incubation period for those exposed is one to seven days.
Over-the-counter medication can treat many of the symptoms. Medical attention is appropriate if symptoms are more than mild, especially if there is a medical condition, such as diabetes or asthma, that risks complications. Prescription anti-viral medication, such as Tamiflu, is sometimes prescribed to shorten the course of the Flu and should ideally be started within 48 hours of symptoms. Antibiotics do not treat the Flu but are given for complications, such as pneumonia.
The Public Health recommendation is to self-isolate from others until there has been no fever for at least 24 hours with no fever medication. The average fever lasts two to four days, so it is not unusual to stay home three to five days.
Getting vaccinated is the most effective way to prevent Flu, and the vaccine this season appears to be a good match for the three strains of Influenza virus currently circulating. A single dose of vaccine, shot or nasal, takes two weeks to be protective. The vaccine is still available.
Flu can also be prevented by avoiding sick people, cleaning hands after touching “sick” things and decontaminating “sick” things.
As a Student Health physician for over 30 years, each flu season has been an adventure. One constant over the years has been the number of students who have chosen not to get vaccinated for a variety of reasons. The other unfortunate constant is that students often attend class with symptoms before being diagnosed or despite being diagnosed, potentially exposing others. This year is no exception.
Students are encouraged to mind the Flu. Its impact on academics, spring break or other plans can be substantial. Most recover, but for some the infection can be deadly.
In a cruel twist, those who did not receive a flu vaccine this season and who have recovered from a bout of Flu can get the Flu again this season. Having illness from one strain still leaves the person susceptible to the other two strains circulating.
Getting the vaccine after recovery is appropriate. For additional information, visit ncsu.edu/student_health and select FLU Information.
Dr. Mary Bengtson currently works at the Student Health Center She is the medical director, laboratory director, and a staff physician. She earned a Bachelor’s in microbiology and her medical degree from Southern Illinois University.
