--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.”
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