Jasmine Russell
Staff Writer
Health professionals are seeing a higher number of influenza cases this year, and college students may be at particular risk.
Kania Rochelle, a Texas College student, recently suffered from the flu. She said she was sick for about a wee and believed she caught it from her mother by drinking from the same cup. She is now advising other college students to take steps on how to avoid catching the flu.
“Don’t drink behind people, and take good care of your body and health by eating the proper foods,” Rochelle said.
Generally getting advice from professional healthcare providers can be really helpful. Dr. Cristy Oswagu, nurse practitioner, said she is concerned when patients begin experiencing the signs of the flu such as high temperature, coughing, sneezing, congestion, headaches and fatigue. Oswagu is the founder and owner of the People’s Health and Wellness Clinic in Tyler. She recommends people get a flu vaccination each year.
“When you take the vaccination shot, it should take up to two weeks before your body becomes immune to the flu,” said Oswagu. “You should get your flu shot as early in the flu season as possible. Especially those that are at higher risk.”
Remarkably, Sally Sanders RN MS, a registered clinical nurse at Texas College, said some people are at greater risk of contracting the flu. She said people at high risk for developing flu complications are children younger than 5, adults 65 years of age and older or pregnant women.
“Flu shot prices vary,” Sanders said. “College students in need of their yearly flu shot can check in at their campus clinic, local hospital or pharmacy.”
The primary name for the flu is called influenza. The majority of people who die from the flu are the elderly and young children with a weak immune system. The flu occurs mostly around seasons of winter and early spring. The virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and lower respiratory tract which makes it hard to breath.
The flu is so powerful it can literally become fatal. The number one reason a person dies from influenza is dehydration (lack of water) or respiratory problems. Several ways to avoid getting the flu are:
- Wash hands frequently after touching things that might have been touched by other people.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into a napkin instead of elbow or hands.
- If the flu is active in an area try to avoid being around that area.
If a student comes down with influenza, there are ways they can treat it naturally without taking medication. First, when a person is experiencing symptoms of the flu or has already contracted it, there are many home remedies that can be useful to treat the symptoms.
According to WebMD.com, avoid caffeinated, alcohol and carbohydrate drinks. Drink plenty of fruit juices and herbal teas.
Secondly, exchange heavy meals for lighter liquid meals such as broth and soups; and last, but not least, get plenty of rest and listen to the way the body feels.
