[Eoscstudents] Flue on Campus

[Bryan Denny]

We have had multiple cases of the flu on campus over the last week.  With
students living in close proximity to one another it is important to
understand the illness and know how to prevent its spread.  With the common
cold, symptoms usually come on gradually, but with the flu, the symptoms
appear quite suddenly. They can include:

•Fever (although not always present) and chills

•Cough

•Sore throat

•Runny or stuffy nose

•Muscle aches, body aches

•Headache, sometimes severe

•Fatigue

•Vomiting and diarrhea, more likely in young children

*Care for flu sufferers:*

If you think you have the flu, it’s always best to check with your doctor
or nurse practitioner to see if you should be treated with antiviral
medications. If you are not a high risk of developing complications, your
doctor may tell you just to manage the flu at home, but to go to the
emergency if you seem to get worse or develop new symptoms.

At-home care of the flu means managing the symptoms and preventing
dehydration:

•Rest. Stay in bed to let your body restore itself and to prevent spreading
your infection

•Drink a lot of fluids. It is easy to become dehydrated when you have the
flu. These should be water and clear fluids, such as broths.

•Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen if
you are allowed to. If the sick person is a child or teen, do not give
aspirin because of a rare, but fatal complication that can occur, called
Reyes syndrome. Over-the-counter cold-and-flu remedies are not recommended
for children under the age of six years, as per the FDA.

*Seek medical attention if:*

Anyone who has the flu and develops the following signs, should seek
medical help as soon as possible, regardless of age or usual state of
health.  You can receive help by checking in with student services
(upstairs in the student center):

•Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

•Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

•Sudden dizziness

•Confusion

•Severe or persistent vomiting

•Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

•High fever for more than three days

*Precautions:*

Influenza can be prevented with a few simple precautions and, in many
cases, with a vaccination.

•Hand washing is the number one weapon against influenza. Washing your
hands after touching your face if you have the flu or after touching
potentially contaminated objects (such as door handles, public phones) has
been proven to effectively reduce the chances of passing on or developing
the flu.

•Sneezing or coughing into your elbow is a good way to reduce transmission
of the flu virus. Unlike sneezing or coughing into your hand, your elbow
won’t touch common objects that will be touched by others.

•If you have the flu, avoid others while you have symptoms and for 24 hours
after the symptoms have gone.

Lastly,

•Get your annual flu vaccination. Every year, a new vaccine is developed
based on the information about the new influenza strain that is circling
the globe. Getting a vaccination is your best protection, although it may
not be 100%. If you cannot get the vaccine for health reasons, encourage
your family members, friends, and coworkers to be vaccinated. If they
reduce their risk of getting the flu, your risk of catching it becomes
lower.

Bryan Denny
Director of Student Life
Criminal Justice Chair/C.O.P. Director
Eastern Oklahoma State College
1301 W. Main Wilburton OK  74578
Ph: (918) 465-1818  Fax: (918) 465-4494
bdenny at eosc.edu
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