University students attempted to fight sickness this fall by taking advantage of all of the influenza vaccines offered by the LSU Student Health Center last month.
The Health Center distributed about 2,600 shots between Oct. 17 and 21, totaling roughly 300 more injections than were given in 2010, according to Student Health Center Business Manager Keiroin Couret in an e-mail.
Kathy Saichuk, LSU health promotions coordinator, said the large turnout resulted from the various locations that were offered. The flu shots were available at the Health Center, the University Recreation Center and the Student Union.
While the Health Center sees the most cases of influenza and other related illnesses in February and March, Saichuk said receiving shots now can help students’ immune systems later.
“A few weeks into the semester, you start to see typical things like allergy reactions or sinus infections,” Saichuk said. “Some of that will come because of the seasonal changes as the climate begins to working.”
Students can also prevent sickness by fortifying their immune systems through healthy living. Reducing alcohol intake, increasing fluid intake, receiving a reasonable amount of sleep and staying mentally and physically healthy all serve to strengthen students’ immune systems during flu season, Saichuk said.
“All those things play a part in the ability of your body to resist something it’s exposed to,” she said.
McZeal said he doesn’t take strict measures to prevent sickness and consciously washes his hands when cold weather arrives.
This is one of the most reliable ways students can prevent sickness, Saichuk said. With so many areas around campus touched by other students, sickness can easily spread. Washing hands is the easiest way to combat this.
“You have to think about all the possible points of contact as a college student,” Saichuk said. “Door knobs, phones, computer terminals, counter space — any common area that you’re bound to come in contact well.”
The Health Center has no current plans to purchase more flu shot vaccines, Saichuk said.
 
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Contact Austen Krantz at [email protected]