The number of flu victims at UT multiplies as students return to campus just before the peak of flu season. “Over 30 students have been diagnosed with the ‘influenza like virus’ since the beginning of the second semester,” said the director and nurse practitioner at the Health and Wellness Center, Sharon Schaefer.
The flu virus can come in many different forms, and is transferred from person to person by air circulation, as stated on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
According to Schaefer, if a student is diagnosed with the flu at UT, they are offered a prescription for an antiviral medication called “Tamiflu” and “given general influenza specific instructions.”. Patients receive fever control, fluids, a lesson on how to prevent the virus and given a note which allows them to stay out of class for five days.
Linley Dunham, a sophomore allied health major, was diagnosed with the flu the morning after returning to campus. She did not get the flu shot this season and claims it is one of her “major regrets” this year. “It was awful getting sick here,” she said. “It’s been hard taking care of myself. I could barely make the trip to the Health Center the morning I got sick.” Dunham lives in Stadium Hall and this is the first time she has been violently ill away from home.
The Health Center provided Linley with an anti-nausea injection along with anti-nausea pills. “The pills saved me,” Dunham said. “I felt like I couldn’t keep anything down without them.” She didn’t have any appetite and had difficulty eating throughout her days with the virus.
Dunham also mentioned the lack of fresh air in her dorm room. “I felt bad because I was really contagious and couldn’t do anything about it except spray Lysol.” Since the windows in residence halls are sealed shut, there was nothing her roommates could do except stay out of the room.
As there is no cure for the virus, the Health Center can only do so much for sickly students. “Ideally the best recommendation is to get the flu shot!” said Schaefer.
There are a very low number of flu vaccinations left at the UT Health Center, and Schaefer stated they have given out over 500 of them this year. The school insurance plan has covered all costs. When the Health Center does run out of these vaccinations, her suggestion is to make a trip to a Publix pharmacy. These will have to be paid for and then sent to an insurance company for reimbursement.
The past weekend’s festivities may also be a threat to the health of UT. “We have actually be fairly lucky the spread has not been too bad so far, but normally we see a major influx after Gasparilla and all the new people and crowds in town for the festivities,” Schaefer said.
Schaefer also made clear that students should be constantly washing their hands, staying away from those who are clearly coughing and sneezing, getting rest, exercise and eating healthy. “It’s not rocket science!”