K’Shatriya Humphrey
Staff Writer
The winter is here, and it comes with boots, scarfs, jackets and at times, influenza—also known as, the flu.
The hard breathing, pain in chest/ abdomen and dizziness could mean something much more than the common cold.
The Center for Disease Control recommends everyone to get a flu shot in order to protect themselves.
This is a vaccine to help one’s immune system fight the most severe strains of the flu going around this time of year.
In December of 2018, The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) reported its first laboratory-confirmed case of influence for the 2018-2019 flu season.
Just last month, over 500 students from a local high school were absent due to a flu outbreak.
According to Dr. Samuel Jones, primary health provider at Jackson State University’s Health Center, his office has seen relatively few cases so far and most cases have been mild.
Dr. Jones recommends that everyone to stay away from crowded places and wash their hands frequently.
“Any Person who feels they have the usual symptoms of the flu can reduce the chance of spreading it to others by staying away from crowded places, coughing or sneezing into their sleeves instead of their hands and washing their hands more frequently,” said Jones.
Jones continued saying everyone should take precaution if they know someone with the flu.
“Since it is caused by an airborne virus, there is no way for well persons to prevent inhaling flu particles which can be left suspended into the air for a while. But once can reduce his or her chance of getting it by avoiding close contact with persons who are known to be having the symptoms and washing tie hands frequently, in case they have touched an object that has the flu virus on its surface,” Jones added.
He further explained, “One can suspect that he/ she has the flu if they are having body aches, feeling very tired and have no appetite to eat anything. Of course, these symptoms would occur alone, with usual “cold” symptoms. If one only has a cold, there are no body aches, tiredness or appetite loss. The only sure way to know, is to have one’s nose swabbed for a flu test.”
Some students said they are afraid to get the flu shot because they feel the flu shot will make them get the flu, but this is inaccurate.
According to Web MD, there are reports of people putting slices of red or white onions on the soles of their feet and then putting on socks to try to cure flu, cold, cough, or fever.
The only certain way to know if you have the flu or not is to get a flu shot every year—service you can receive annually on campus.
“The best way to reduce one’s chance of getting the flu is to get the flu shot every year. We offer this year’s flu shot in the Student Health Center for $25 that is billed to the student’s account,” said Jones.
If you do get the flu, The Health Line offers some tips on what you can do for a speedy recovery:
*Stay home
*Hydrate
*Sleep as much as possible
*Eat healthy foods
Moral of the story, get the flu shot. Flu activity peaks between December and February, so now is your chance to fight the flu and stay healthy.
