Cold weather brings the dreaded annual flu season

By Sarah, February 13, 2018

Many people find the winter season to be the most joyful time of the year; however, it also heralds the rise of flu season.

The disease known as influenza is at its strongest between the months of November and March, usually peaking in prominence during the month of February.

Most Americans have contracted the flu at least once, so the symptoms are relatively well known. If someone has a fever, has a runny nose and is sneezing frequently, there is a high probability that the cause is the influenza virus.

While generally considered to only be a minor nuisance, the flu has the potential to pose an immense danger to the infected. In some cases the virus’s symptoms can be much more severe than normal. In these instances, influenza even carries the risk of death.

According to research from the Center for Disease Control, flu virus hospitalized approximately 310,000 Americans during the 2015-2016 flu season. The CDC also estimated that there were at least 12,000 deaths caused by the flu virus that year, however it is worth noting that the study admits that it is difficult to determine whether the flu was the primary cause of death.

The flu vaccine is the most effective way to mitigate the chance of contracting influenza. Medical experts advise that everyone over the age of six months should get a flu shot every year to help combat each strain.

The influenza virus is a particularly troublesome ailment because it evolves rapidly, creating a different genetic structure that allows it to infect people multiple times by using different versions of itself.

Due to the volatile nature of the flu, doctors have to develop new vaccines against the virus on a yearly basis to counteract different strains.

Influenza has the potential to spread throughout North Carolina, and by extension High Point University. This has a lot to do with the large amount of people not getting vaccinated against the flu virus.

According to a survey conducted by the High Point University Research Center, only 44 percent of North Carolinians received a flu shot within the last year.

“We still have some work to do with educating our residents about the importance of getting a flu vaccine each year,” said Dr. Joy Green, a professor and assistant dean at the Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy.

The High Point University Student Health Services office, which is located on the lower level of Wilson Hall, offers immunization shots to students and staff. It is open Monday through Friday and people can call the office to schedule appointments for flu vaccinations.

There are also multiple other measures that can be taken to decrease the risk of contracting and spreading influenza.

According to the United States Center for Disease Control, people should avoid direct contact with the ill and avoid touching others if they themselves are sick.

The well-known tactic of hand-washing is one of the simplest yet most effective things to do to prevent the spread of disease by removing harmful germs.

Lastly, it is important to cover your face when you cough or sneeze to prevent spreading your germs to those around you.

As the season’s shift High Point University students and staff will need to take steps to ensure their health and that of those around them.