Cold & Flu

By: Alyssa Carlson | Intern

September: The month where the leaves start changing color and pumpkin spice everything hits the shelves. However, even though fall is such a beloved season, it is also the time where the flu makes its grand debut. Some might think of the flu as just a bad cold, but according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the flu is far more dangerous than a bad cold. It's a disease of the lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 114,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 20,000 people die because of the flu. Here at EIU, we offer current and retired faculty, staff, and students FREE flu shots. EIU offers flu shots because as College students, we live in close quarters with our roommates, share bathrooms, and participate in social activities that make us more prone to catching the flu. Since college students are prone to getting the flu we all need to practice a healthy lifestyle. Some tips for flu prevention include: washing your hands regularly, avoid close contact with another person who has symptoms, stay home when you are sick, cover your cough, get a full night’s sleep, stay hydrated, and lastly, visit the doctor’s office if you are running a fever. By getting vaccinated for the flu, you are practicing a healthier lifestyle and being less of a risk to other students on campus.

Be sure to visit Health Service if you have the following symptoms:

• Fever 100 degrees F or higher
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Severe body aches
• Headaches
• Chills
• Severe fatigue

Mark your calendars!! 

ü  Date: Wednesday, October 14^th

ü  Time: 9AM-4PM

ü  Where: MLK Student Union


UPDATE as of 10/15: We gave out a total of 723 Flu Shots to students, faculty, staff, and retirees!

    MYTH or FACT?

 1.      The shot can give you the flu.

MYTH. Flu vaccines are made from killed influenza viruses. These viruses cannot give you the flu.

       2.      The side effects are worse than the flu.

MYTH. The worst side effect you're likely to get is a sore arm.  The risk of a rare allergic reaction is far less than the risk of severe complications from influenza.