On the heels of increased flu reports in Indiana, cases of the illness are under-reported on campus and in Vigo County.
the CDC currently lists Indiana as one of 30 states in which cases of the flu have been widespread. In the month of January, the Indiana Department of Health reported over 900 documented cases of the flu.
Dr. Kenneth Spicklemire, one of the physicians at the health center, said that students who present symptoms of the flu often stay in their rooms and wait it out or don’t know that they have the flu at all. Even so, more than 40 students have been diagnosed at the health center with the flu, which he says is a very significant number.
“In the last three weeks, we’ve gotten five to 10 cases a day,” he said. “The numbers are variable from day to day, but that is still a significant number.”
Spicklemire said that flu prevention is fairly simple and boils down to “good hygiene and good sense.” the CDC advises people to use tissues when coughing and sneezing, avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth, and to wash their hands frequently. it also suggests that people get a flu vaccination if they can.
Flu shots are still available on campus at the Student Health Center. the immunization does take two weeks to “kick in,” Spicklemire said, because the antibodies that resist the influenza virus need to build up in the body, so getting the vaccination after you think you already have the flu isn’t going to help.
if you already have the flu, however, there are a few things that you can do.
“We can give students Tamiflu,” Spicklemire said. “We have enough for people who need it, and it’s only 20 dollars. It’s only proven to be effective, though, if administered during the first 48 hours. after that, we just have to treat the symptoms.”
Spicklemire said he has not yet advised any students with the flu not to go to class. He does urge them to take care not to cough or sneeze on people and to maintain a regimen of common sense and good hygiene.
Some cases of the flu may require a student to stay in their room or apartment, though. For students who are too sick to care for themselves or do not have a roommate who is able or willing to help take care of them, Spicklemire suggests that they do have someone come pick them up to take them home.
if you think you may have the flu, go to the Student Health Center.
“It’s better to come in when you start presenting symptoms than to wait three days before you go to see a doctor,” Spicklemire said.