![\"\"](\"http:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/files\/2013\/01\/FluGraphicbw.jpg\")
<\/a>Kachelle Pratcher<\/strong> The New Year has started off with dire warnings of a deadly influenza outbreak affecting many Americans.<\/p>\n Four months into the flu season, physicians around the world are expressing the importance of receiving a flu vaccination. As reported in an ABC news report, more than 3,700 people have been hospitalized and at least 20 children have already died from flu-related causes since Oct. 1, 2012, when the flu season officially began.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have not seen very many cases of flu this year but remember the season is not over.\u00a0 Many students are just coming back from home and just beginning to become sick,\u201d said Nurse Ollie Harper, director of the JSU Student Health Center.<\/p>\n According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu or lesson the symptoms is by getting vaccinated each year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Student Health Center had an abundance of flu vaccine.\u00a0 The vaccine should not be taken if you already have the symptoms or a cold or not \u2018feeling good\u2019,\u201d said Harper. \u201cMany people state that they don\u2019t want to get the vaccine because the vaccine will give you the flu.\u00a0 One must remember that\u00a0 the vaccine is a live vaccine when taken and some persons may sometime exhibit some flu like symptoms but these symptoms are nothing compared to the symptoms of the actual flu. The flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus.<\/p>\n Some students did not know that the flu could lead to death.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s unbelievable that people become very ill with the flu, I really didn\u2019t know it was extreme to where people are dying and being hospitalized,\u201d said sophomore criminal justice major Davieon Jones from Columbus, Miss.<\/p>\n College students are cautioned to be extremely careful because of all the shared space in dormitories, classrooms, public bathrooms, cafeterias, and social events, where the flu can be spread easily among your peers.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t received a flu shot this season but I plan to go immediately after hearing the deaths of children,\u201d said Manisha Heard, a junior mass communications major from Jackson, Miss.<\/p>\n Many steps can be taken to ensure being safe this winter and not being at risk for flu-like symptoms. First and most importantly, get a flu vaccination.\u00a0 The JSU Health Center, local drug stores, and other medical clinics are administering shots at a small fee.\u00a0 Students can add the fee to their charges at the heath center on campus.<\/p>\n According to Harper, all types of flu have similar symptoms.\u00a0 Although the flu and the the common cold have similar symptoms, the flu tends to be more severe and worst with the following symptoms.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0\u00a0 A 100 degree or higher fever or feeling feverish \u201cIt is not too late to get the flu vaccine.\u00a0 I would encourage each student, faculty and staff to get this vaccine while our supplies last.\u00a0 Not only are you protecting yourself, but you are also protecting your family and friends,\u201d said Harper. Kachelle Pratcher Blue & White Flash \/ Staff Writer The New Year has started off with dire warnings of a deadly influenza outbreak affecting many…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"editor_plus_post_options":"{}","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1660"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1660"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1660\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.jsums.edu\/jsuflash\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nBlue & White Flash \/ Staff Writer<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nHarper added: \u201cBy taking the vaccine you lessen your chances of getting the flu.\u00a0 If you feel any of the symptoms, please report to the Health Center as soon as possible for treatment.\u00a0 The early\u00a0 you are seen, the shorter your recovery time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u2022\u00a0 A cough and\/or sore throat
\n\u2022\u00a0 Runny or stuffy nose
\n\u2022\u00a0 Headaches and or body aches
\n\u2022\u00a0 Chills
\n\u2022\u00a0 Fatigue
\n\u2022 Nausea, vomiting, and or diarrhea<\/p>\n
\nShe added: \u201cThere is a $25.00 fee for the vaccine that is filed on the Students fee sheet.\u00a0 We don\u2019t see many students getting the vaccine during any years that it has been offered.\u00a0 We use to get 300 vaccines per year that number has been cut to half.\u00a0 At present many students are not getting this vaccine as much as we felt that they would. With the severity of the flu season this year which is reported as the worse ever, I am anticipating seeing more than usual with the flu which can be so easily prevented.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"