It was relentless, it was quick and it was deadly.
This microscopic killer claimed the lives of 50 million people worldwide and 675,000 in the U.S. alone, emptying schools, turning towns into desolate wastelands and, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, lowered the life expectancy by 12 years.
This was our version of the black plague.
This was the flu.
The 1918-1919 flu pandemic struck the U.S. with extreme force, tearing through towns and killing its victims in just 24 hours. Scientists believe the symptoms from this virus had the same effect on humans in 1918 and may be present in flu strains today.
Research by Dr. Jon Yewdell and Dr. Jack Bennink, of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, found strains of the flu contain the protein PB1-F2.
This protein is secreted by infected cells and kills the immune system cells that are trying to kick the flu.
Yewdell and Bennink believe this protein may have been present in the Influenza of 1918.
Medical genius of the 21st century has provided the luxury of annual flu vaccinations to help battle the infestation of the virus.
The flu is starting to become as nonchalant as the common cold, with some regarding it lightly. “It’s not that bad,” Stephen Mineruino, a sophomore in history, said. As more students neglect getting the shot, the chance of falling seriously ill and spreading the virus increases.
Anita Flick, a biology professor and the director of health professions advising, explained that the flu vaccine is made of different strains of the flu and is based on previous flu viruses. “Our thought is that there is enough ‘similarities’ and that is where the protection comes from,” Flick said.
When receiving the shot, the body’s immune system response is activated. Because the immune system doesn’t recognize the virus, it creates antibodies. The next time it encounters the flu, the body will recognize the virus and send the immune system to attack the infection.
This flu season, the Student Health Center pushed vaccination repeatedly, but according to Dr. Mary Bengston, medical director and a physician in SHC, students have avoided the shot all together.
This semester alone there have been 546 students treated for flu-like symptoms at the Student Health Center, most of whom did not receive the vaccine.
Bengston says these numbers will continue to rise through April.
“It’s a personal choice,” Bengston said. “But you’re looking at the consequences. You may be one of the people ending up with complications like pneumonia.”
Unlike childhood illnesses like chickenpox, the flu can be caught more than once during a season.
“Getting the flu does not prevent you from other strains,” Bengston said. “You create antibodies for the strain that you had, but you can catch it a second or third time.”
This season there are three different strains, according to Bengston– two different versions of type A and one version of type B. Vaccination is one method of protection against all strains.
The vaccination, which takes two weeks to take effect, is an almost perfect match for the strains that are floating around this season and will protect students against all the variations, Bengston explained.
“[Getting the flu a second time is] a cruel thing that can happen,” Bengston said. “After recovering, consider getting the flu shot to protect yourself against other strains.”
Though the process of getting vaccinated is short, students are still opting out.
Anupa Ganta, a freshman in chemistry, said she used to get the shot every year when she was living at home.
“Usually I do get it,” Ganta said. “But I didn’t this year because I feel like I don’t have time.”
Other students are skipping the shot because they believe they won’t get sick.
“It doesn’t seem to be worth it,” Mineruino said. “I only get [the flu] for two days–it’s not that bad.”
According to a recent survey from Consumer Reports, these are common excuses among the population. Forty-five percent of people surveyed say they don’t get the shot because they usually don’t get the flu.
However, the Center of Disease Control estimates the flu sends 225,000 people to the hospital and claims the lives of 35,000 people every year.
State health officials recently told MSNBC the flu will continue to escalate into the early weeks of March when the number of cases start to hit the roof.
Already, North Carolina’s cases seem to be rising. According to the CDC, North Carolina and 37 other states have been documented to have widespread flu activity as of Feb. 5.
According to Bengston, It’s not too late to get the shot especially with spring break right around the corner.
“It would be an excellent time to reconsider your decision because of how widespread the flu is right now,” Bengston said. “You have to consider the risk of spreading the flu to relatives or friends.”
If a student does come down with the flu, there are things they can do.
University Dining has set up a program specifically for students that are too sick to eat at the dining hall. Get-Well Meal Kits are stocked with items recommended by Student Health Services like applesauce, soup and Powerade. The kit is available with meal plan equivalency at the dining halls and students without a meal plan can purchase the kit for $15.
If a student’s roommate comes down with the flu, finding an alternate place to reside would be the best option, according to Bengston. If that isn’t a possibility, students should do their best to keep their distance. Cough and sneeze into a tissue, wash your hands often and don’t share drinks or food. Or, better yet, get the flu shot.
With the majority of students not immunized, Bengston said she has seen faces of regret when students drag themselves into her office. Bengston said, “They say ‘I never want to feel this way again.'”
ALT BOX 1
Symptom checklist Fever or feverish (chills) * Cough Sore Throat Runny nose Muscle or body aches Headache Tiredness Vomiting and Diarrhea (most common with children)
* fever doesn’t always accompany flu symptoms
SOURCE: (cdc.gov/flu)
ALT BOX 2
The incubation period (time to start feeling sick after infection) for the flu is one week or less.
A person who is sick with the flu is contagious a day before and a week or more after displaying symptoms.
An infected person is most contagious when accompanied by a fever
The flu virus can live for hours on hard surfaces (wood or plastic) and can live for 20 minutes on hands.
SOURCE: Dr. Mary Bengston, Student Health Service
ALT BOX 3
Fact vs. Myth The Flu Shot can give you the flu FALSE: The flu shot is a dead version of the virus, if you do get the flu, it’s because you were exposed to the flu prior to getting the vaccine. Even if I get the shot, I can still get the flu TRUE: It’s possible that this can happen, but it’s not likely. The shot does not protect against other viruses that may feel like the flu. The side effects of the shot are worse than the flu FALSE: The worst side affect you can get from the vaccine is a sore arm. An allergic reaction (which is rare) is far less risky than complications from getting the flu. The flu is just like a bad cold FALSE: The flu is a lot worse than a cold. The flu affects the lungs and can lead to pneumonia. Not everyone can get the flu shot TRUE: If you are allergic to eggs, which are used in process of making the vaccine, have a very high fever, or have had a severe reaction to the shot in the past, you may not be able to get the vaccine.
SOURCE: (http://www.immunizenc.com/FluFactsMyths.htm)
