Tom Plesser
In Motion Staff Writer
Chills, sweating, nausea, body aches — the symptoms of infection. The list is not great. Where could you have possibly contracted the illness?
Studies show that survival times for flu and cold viruses vary from a few seconds to 48 hours. The type of surface, humidity and temperature all play into their longevity or lack thereof. Nonporous surfaces, such as plastic and metals, will keep them alive longer than soft materials such as tissues or clothing. But some particularly vicious strains have been known to survive for almost a week, contaminating everyone who comes in contact.
So you isolate yourself, hoping to save loved ones from the same fate, but to no avail. Days ago, when you felt worn out and dragged your feet out of bed, you unknowingly, unwillingly, spread the illness.
And it isn’t just in your own community. The virus is spreading across the nation, claiming tens of thousands of souls, leaving hundreds of thousands hospitalized. It preys on the young, the sick and the elderly. It seems unstoppable.
This is not an excerpt from a Michael Creighton or Tom Clancy novel, nor is it a trailer for the latest block-buster apocalyptic movie. This is real! Annually recurring! This is seasonal influenza.
The Center for Disease Control estimates some 80,000 people died in the United States last year due to flu-related illnesses. That beat the previous record, set some 30 years ago, of 56,000. With such statistics, influenza seems unstoppable. Fortunately there is something everyone can do — obtain an influenza vaccine, also known as the flu shot. With such a simple remedy at hand, why are there still so many victims each year?
According to Magolia Varon, a nurse with more than 20 years of experience and a first-semester nursing instructor at Daytona State, “After the flu virus leaves the body, it can remain infectious up to 24 hours.”
In general, people know to avoid contact when they feel the symptoms. Unfortunately, it is in the days leading up to feeling sick that someone is most contagious. Shaking hands, sitting close to others, using computers in common areas such as the Library and Academic Support Center are all ways to spread the virus. Even anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitizer do not necessarily protect against the flu virus.
“There has to be more awareness raised on the flu and the flu shot,” emphasizes Augusta Thomas, supervision and management major at Daytona State College.
Due to the lack of knowledge on the flu virus, there are many misconceptions about personal protection. Additionally, the limited knowledge of the virus and vaccine brings forth many reasons, alibis and personal justifications for not getting a flu shot.
A common excuse is, “When I get the flu shot, I also get the flu,” said Kristen Marchena, a peer tutor at the Academic Support Center.
While it is true that you are injected with the flu virus, these are weakened versions of the virus to prepare your body and immune system. It can take up to two weeks for the vaccine to effectively protect you. If directly prior to, or within this two week window, you become exposed to the actual virus, the vaccine will not be able to protect you from getting ill.
Another common alibi is someone got the vaccine last year. Same as the annual release of new smartphones, the flu virus – due to mutations – comes with new features every year.
Some have legitimate medical reasons not to be vaccinated. Apart from the inactivated virus, the vaccine has various ingredients, to which some people are allergic. Allergies to eggs, as these are generally used to grow the virus for the vaccine, would prevent someone from getting the shot. There are, however, new techniques used to manufacture the vaccines, without the use of eggs.
Depending on the flu shot you receive you are being protected against three to four strains of the virus. Which of the many strains will be dominant is always a statistical lottery game with hits and misses. The effectiveness of the flu vaccine varies each year, but it does successfully prevent several million illnesses and medical visits annually.
Results indicate that the vaccine from last season was only 30 percent effective, which is still better than zero percent.