IT'S NOT OVER YET, AGS!! 

Flu season is still upon us.  Typically running through March, there is still a chance you could catch it.  If you missed the flu shot campaign in November, don't sweat.  There are still a lot of flu vaccines available.  Here are the details:

Cost is $10 (reduced from $18)

Payable by check, credit, Aggiebucks, or bill to fee statement

Call 458-8250 today to make an appointment.

What is seasonal flu?

How do I know the difference between a cold and the flu?

Preventing the flu

What is seasonal flu? Seasonal (or common) flu:

A contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus that can be transmitted person to person.  Most people have some immunity, but the best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

Some populations, such as older people, young children, and persons with chronic health conditions (HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, etc.), are more susceptible to contracting the virus.

Weekly breakdown of flu in the United States map:  www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

How do I know the difference between the flu and a cold?

The flu and cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses.  Cold symptoms are usually milder than flu symptoms and consist of runny or stuffy nose.  Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, dry cough, and are generally more severe than the cold symptoms.  In addition, colds do not usually lead to worse illnesses such as pneumonia or bacterial infections.  For a better understanding and diagram of the two illnesses, follow this link to a National Institutes of Health publication.

Preventing the Flu:

Illnesses like colds and flu are spread from person to person in respiratory droplets during coughing and sneezing.  When droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person move through the air and are deposited on the mouth or nose of people nearby, the illness has spread. Sometimes germs also can be spread when a person touches respiratory droplets from another person on a surface like a desk and then touches his or her own eyes, mouth or nose before washing their hands.  Some viruses and bacteria can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004).

In order to stop the spread of germs and decrease your chance of catching the flu:

• Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze with a tissue.  If you do not have a tissues, use your sleeve.  If you must use your hands wash your hands immediately.  Alcohol-based wipes and sanitizers also work well. 

• Wash your hands often, regardless of whether or not you coughed or sneezed into them.  For more tips on handwashing, visit this website: Handwashing.

• Get your flu vaccine.  Generally has no side effects and when it does, they are very mild.

• Practice good health habits.  Exercising, eating well balanced, nutritious diets, getting enough sleep (that means NO ALL NIGHTERS!), and monitoring stress levels are all ways to help prevent the flu.  For more for more information on these and other health topics, please visit Health Education at healthed.tamu.edu. 

• Stay at home and rest if you are sick and avoid close contact to classmates and roommates who are sick.

 Updated January 29, 2007