--Emily Handy
To find out step-by-step ways to prevent the flu, click here.
To read more about identifying flu symptoms, click here.
With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) already listing sporadic cases of the flu for the state of Florida, USF’s Student Health Services (SHS) has begun vaccinations.
“I highly recommend getting your flu shot,” said Janet Ashmore, a vaccination nurse at USF’s SHS building. “It’s the number one way to prevent (the flu).”
SHS began inactivated vaccinations — injections given via a shot into the muscle rather than a nasal spray — three or four weeks ago after the vaccine arrived and the staff was vaccinated, Ashmore said. Last year, there were two separate shots, one for two strains of influenza and another for H1N1 — also known as swine flu — which was then a rising concern.
A new vaccine for use this season, however, provides protection against H1N1 as well as influenzas A (H3N2) and B.
This year there is also no high-risk priority, said Dee Belangia, another immunization nurse for SHS. Belangia said being in crowds only increases the risk of flu infection and that everyone is recommended to receive the vaccination.
The College of Public Health, in collaboration with the Hillsborough County Health Department, is offering free flu vaccinations for anyone over the age of 18 on Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College of Public Health building located at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Fletcher Avenue.
Vaccines are also free for students through SHS. Students can make an appointment for a vaccination, or attend the flu vaccination clinic Oct. 26 and 28 in Marshall Student Center room 1504 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I’m getting the flu shot on campus because it’s free,” said Jeannine Palermo, a sophomore majoring in biology. “And ... I guess to stay healthy.”
So far Belangia estimates around 70 students have been vaccinated, though Ashwood said there have only been flu like symptoms seen on campus. The CDC recommends getting vaccinated as soon as a shot is available.
Protection typically takes two weeks to develop and can last for a year, according to the CDC.
“I think they’re (the students) very well versed,” Belangia said. “I think the students have really taken the initiative to go online and research and get the information and understand the importance of acquiring the flu vaccine.”
CDC reports that risks from the new vaccine can include soreness in the arm, fever, aches or cough. Belangia and Ashmore said they have not seen any negative reactions to the shot so far.
Palermo said she’s not concerned about bad reactions to the vaccine.
Both nurses recommend students take other protections against the flu by washing your hands frequently and getting enough rest. Students can find more information on the SHS website, shs.usf.edu, or the CDC website, cdc.gov.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Prevent the flu before it gets you
--Naomi Prioleau
After the H1N1 epidemic last season, some individuals may be more cautious about prevention.
Some may confuse the signs of the flu with signs of the common cold, and by then it is too late to get a shot to prevent it.
Dr. Egilda Terenzi, internal medicine director at the Student Health Services, says after the flu is in the immune system, it is best to let it run its course.
“When you’re in bed with a 104 degree fever, it’s too late,” Terenzi said. “Get the shot when you get well to prevent it from happening again.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list signs of the seasonal flu as fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.
They also state that it is impossible to tell for sure if one has the flu based on symptoms alone.
The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against different flu viruses and will last throughout the flu season. The vaccination that Student Health Services provides will include the protection from the H1N1 virus.
Terenzi believes that the true way the flu is contained depends on the individual. She recommends getting the shot and to use “common sense” to prevent the flu.
“Stay home when you’re sick,” Terenzi said. “Keep washing your hands, don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth and get the shot.”
Each flu season different strains of the flu come around. Terenzi said that epidemiologists decide what strains will be in the season and because they predict the strains in advance, that it is hard to determine what vaccination to use.
“We don’t make shots based on real time information because of a six to eight month prediction of what will be in the coming season,” Terenzi said. “Most of the time they get it right with the strain and the vaccination that is needed for it.”
Thursday, October 7, 2010
ZTA Thinks Pink for a Cause
by Kirstin Hermansen
To read the story of a college student who battled breast cancer, click here.
To see photos of men in heels raising money for cancer research, click here.
As October brings thoughts of cool weather and the colors of changing leaves for some, others are thinking pink.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and sororities around the country are supporting the cause.
According to Karen Richardson, the president of USF’s Zeta Tau Alpha chapter, the sorority hosts its annual fall philanthropy event, Octobreastfest, which takes place on Oct. 20 and 21, and has close ties with the Susan G. Komen Foundation year-round.
The event includes a Best-Chest Competition, where guests can pay a small fee to vote for their favorite chest with all the proceeds going to the foundation. The grand finale is a “Pink Out,” where all Greek organizations can deck their house in pink to stand up for the fight against breast cancer.
In addition, the sorority collects pink Yoplait lids and hosts a yogurt-eating contest.
The sisters have also partnered with USF Dining Services to make yogurt parfaits with Yoplait in an effort to collect pink lids for a campaign called “Save Lids to Save Lives.”
ZTA has also placed boxes at local businesses to collect even more lids. The girls started involvement with Yoplait in 2004. For every lid collected, Yoplait donates 10 cents to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
ZTA at USF has come in second place two years in a row for collecting the most lids among its chapters nationwide. Last year they collected over 21,000.
“We want the participation of everyone, not just Greeks,” Richardson said.
In the past, ZTA has had many events supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation and breast cancer awareness. Since its association with the foundation, the girls have been providing pink T-shirts and caps for participants. They also provide pink "in-memory-of" and "in-celebration-of" signs for participants to honor a loved one. ZTA also provides self-breast examination reminder stickers for calendars.
ZTA established an association with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in 1992, and became the first national sponsor of Race for the Cure.
ZTA has donated over $3 million to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
The national sorority is currently working with 23 of the 32 NFL teams to help increase breast cancer awareness by passing out pink ribbons and how-to examination cards. The girls from the USF chapter will be at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on Oct. 17 and at the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game on Oct. 18.
ZTA’s work for the cure continues after Oct. 31, however. During the spring semester, the sorority will hold its annual fashion show with vendors, auctions and food. There is a special segment of the show dedicated to breast cancer survivors.
“We are so proud of them (survivors) and their fight against breast cancer,” Richardson said.
Richardson’s grandmother and great-grandmother are both survivors of breast cancer. Unfortunately, her grandmother also suffered from lung cancer and lost her life to it.
“Any cancer is bad and affects anyone, anywhere, no matter who you are,” Richardson said. “This is a cause that really touches my heart, and when I see survivors I can't help but smile, knowing that our organization is fighting toward the same cause.”
Men walk a mile in her shoes
On Oct. 2, men from the Tampa Bay area donned heels for their annual "Heroes 'n' Heels" event, which raises money for breast cancer research.
Photos and captions by Naomi Prioleau.
Conquering cancer
by Ashley Morlote
Nioby Castillo, a 22-year-old who graduated from Southeastern University in 2009, belongs to a rare group of women. But, she wishes she didn't.
Nioby Castillo, a 22-year-old who graduated from Southeastern University in 2009, belongs to a rare group of women. But, she wishes she didn't.
According to the American Cancer Society, 95 percent of breast cancer cases from 2002-06 occurred among women aged 40 or older. Of every 100,000 women aged 20-24, 1.4 were diagnosed with the disease.
Castillo was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time at age 18.
To celebrate breast cancer awareness month, she will participate in the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk in Fort Myers on Oct. 23.
During her freshman year at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., she discovered a lump on her breast.
“It was about a size of a little gumball,” Castillo said.
The student clinic diagnosed her with a fibrous cyst, a lump common among women that goes away over time.
With no family history of breast cancer, Castillo didn't believe she could have the disease.
“When you're 18, really, there's no health issues that come about,” she said.
However, Castillo's mother had doubts about the original diagnosis, so Castillo went to her gynecologist when she went home to Fort Myers, Fla. for winter break. During this visit, the teen was diagnosed her with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).
According to the Mayo Clinic, DCIS is the earliest form of breast cancer that remains in the milk duct. This form of cancer is usually difficult to detect.
Castillo was not worried about her diagnosis because DCIS it is noninvasive.
That winter break she had a lumpectomy and the tumor was removed by a vacuum. With only a 1 in 500 chance of the tumor growing back, Castillo was assured not to worry.
“They said it was never going to come back,” she said.
The next year Castillo transferred to Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla. She joined the cheerleading squad, started dating a fellow student and led a healthy lifestyle. With the cancer behind her, everything seemed to be falling into place.
But in 2008, Castillo felt an intense pain in her breast. This time, Castillo was concerned. She asked her fellow cheerleaders to include her in their after practice prayer.
“That time I was very fearful,” Castillo said.
However, the pain went away and Castillo didn't take action until it occurred again in 2009 and she was diagnosed with DCIS for a second time.
To eliminate any chance of reoccurrence, Castillo had a mastectomy within a week. Now, she has been cancer free for a year.
As a survivor, Castillo believes it is important to support breast cancer research.
"It's good because things are always evolving," she said. "And no case is the same."
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