Influenza, strep throat, sinus infections, bronchitis, viral upper respiratory illness, pneumonia and gastroenteritis are all making their way around the campus as well as the Bloomington-Normal community.

Influenza illness is possible at any time of the year. However, there is typically an increase in influenza during the winter months.  

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness and many people are inside and in closer contact with one another in the colder months, Diane Waters, assistant director of Student Health Services, said.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care if you have the flu.

There are common symptoms of the flu that students should be aware of and include, “sudden onset of fever, body aches, headaches, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose [or] fatigue,” Waters said.

If a person does contract the flu, they should, “drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, and take medications for flu symptoms.  Stay away from others as much as possible and cover your cough and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick,” Waters said.

“Definitely get plenty of rest, try to stay in bed as much as possible until you start to feel better, and try to drink plenty of fluids.  If you don’t start to feel better after a few days, or if your fever seems to get worse, make an appointment to see a doctor,” James Almeda, health educator for Health Promotion and Wellness, said.

Waters said to help prevent contracting the flu, many students may want to get a flu shot each year as the best means of prevention. ISU students may schedule an appointment for a free flu shot at the Student Health Services.

Given that there are so many people who do get the flu, getting a flu shot will help reduce one’s risk, or if one still gets the flu, it may not affect a student as much, Almeda said.

Other ways in which people can help prevent or reduce their risk of getting the flu as well as other illnesses this season would be to “wash hands often and well. Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands,” Waters said.

She added that students should always, “keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer handy for times when soap and water aren’t available.”

“It also helps to take care of yourself to keep your immune system strong – get enough sleep each night, get some physical activity each day, eat well and include at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, manage your stress, maintain healthy relationships,” Alemda said.

“And if you drink alcohol, try to limit it to know more than three drinks on any occasion,” Almeda said.

He added that cold and flu kits are available at G Spot.

If a student has a fever, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, cough or stomach aches, schedule an appointment with Student Health Services by calling (309) 438-2778 or by going online to shs.illinoisstate.edu/appointments.

A spike in whooping cough cases in November has prompted the DuPage County Health Department to send an alert to schools, day-care centers and physicians.

Last month, 17 cases of pertussis, mostly in children and adolescents, were reported to health authorities. the year-to-date total in DuPage County is 57 cases, compared to 26 in 2009.

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“Our intention is to break the cycle,” said David Hass, health department spokesman. “If people are ill, we want people to stay home.”

Pertussis is a highly infectious illness with a distinctive “whooping” cough that can be severe enough to trigger vomiting or crack a rib. most people recover completely.

However, the disease can be life-threatening to those in high-risk groups, especially babies under 1 year and children who have not been fully immunized.

Early symptoms include a runny nose, slight fever and mild occasional cough lasting for at least two weeks.

Whooping cough patients must stay home until at least five days after starting antibiotic therapy, health authorities said.

Frequent hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes also can help prevent the spread.

Infants and young children receive a series of vaccines against pertussis (along with diphtheria and tetanus) during their first five years. a booster vaccine is recommended for adults and adolescents at age 11 or older.

The highest incidence of whooping cough in DuPage County so far occurred in 2004, when there were 127 cases.