Shellie Turner
In Motion Staff Writer
This year’s flu season is shaping up to be one of the worst seen in many years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the entire United States, except for Hawaii and Oregon, have experienced widespread cases. This includes Puerto Rico, which is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
The CDC is reporting the highest rate of hospitalizations since 2010 and as of February 2018, 84 children have died from the flu. Why is this year’s flu season so severe?
“This year, H3N2, a Type A strain is the most prevalent strain circulating. Although, H1N1 is also circulating,” said Cynthia Buckman, a Registered Nurse and Manager of Employee Health at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center.
This particular strain of the virus tends to be more severe, especially for children and the elderly. That helps to explain why there have been so many children who have died from the virus. It is also resistant against vaccination. But that doesn’t mean the public shouldn’t be vaccinated.
“This year’s vaccine is about 30 percent effective,” Buckman said. “While that doesn’t sound great, it still offers some protection, even if it is not a perfect match.”
Flu season was already underway by the time the Spring 2018 season began at Daytona State College. The college’s administration sent out a mass e-mail to students and instructors in January encouraging them to get vaccinated and with helpful links to county and state health departments. The e-mail included a reminder for students that they would still be responsible for making up any missed assignments and exams should they become ill, but it also sent messages to faculty asking them to assist students in getting back up to speed after a verified bout with the flu.
Professor Mitch Mentor, an instructor in the Television Production program, praised the guidelines. While his students can’t make up the work from the week’s live television program, he does allow his students to take any test they may have missed.
“The student needs to let me know ahead of time that they will be absent. Just not showing up doesn’t cut it.” he said. “If a student says they are sick, I take them at their word.”
If you do become ill, how do you distinguish between the cold and the flu?
Flu symptoms include a fever of 102 degrees or higher, a dry or hacking cough, severe body aches, and chills. Occasionally, sufferers will experience a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and nausea. Those are symptoms that Associate of Arts student Chandler McDevitt recently experienced. She spent a week at home with the flu. She obtained a note from her doctor, but was told it wasn’t necessary because she had the flu.
“I had no issues making up my assignments,” she said. “I tried to bring a doctor’s note but was told, no you’re fine!”
Flu symptoms typically last from five to seven days. The virus can lead to complications, such as bacterial pneumonia. Two tests, the rapid flu test, and RT PCR flu test can detect the presence of the virus.
The differences with the common cold are that there is no fever, nausea, or chills. Sufferers rarely experience body aches. Colds can strike throughout the year. It is also a type of adenovirus, which is another illness that is making its way across the country.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent the spread of the influenza virus. If you do become ill, stay home to avoid spreading it to your classmates and teachers. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
The virus can survive on a surface, including desks in the classroom, for up to 24 hours. Perhaps the most important piece of advice is to wash hands frequently Most of the restrooms on campus have notices about handwashing and some mention the flu. Anyone should wash hands after touching common areas and after touching others. Hands can transmit the flu just as well as a cough or a sneeze.