SDSU Collegian

Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News

Media Credit: John Nelson Brandon Van Westen, a junior media production major, was one of several students who made the stop at The Union on Feb. 8 to receive a free influenza vaccination shot. "I just thought it would be a good idea," he said. "The shot was free, and now I just have a better peace of mind."

The SDSU campus has seen significantly more cases of influenza during this year's flu season compared to previous years.

Student Health Associate Director Brenda Andersen reported that students started coming in during the last week of January with flu-like symptoms. As of March 5, 72 people were tested for the contagious disease; 23 of these cases tested positive for Influenza A and three for Influenza B.

Students feeling symptoms such as a high fever, chills, body aches, cough, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps should see a doctor as soon as possible. Andersen described extreme exhaustion as another common symptom.

Andersen said that students should be aware that a fever is the distinguishing factor between influenza and the common cold. Sometimes, students believe they have influenza but may be experiencing a cold.

Vaccination is the "best shot" to avoid getting sick, said Andersen. Of the 72 tested, she estimated that only three to four students had been vaccinated.

"I guess I figured I was safe," said senior psychology major Sara Javers.

Because her immune system was weakened, Javers was diagnosed with a double ear infection, viral bronchitis and an inflamed larynx in addition to Influenza A. It took her two weeks to return to full health.

Erica Raap, a sophomore early education major, said, "I chose not to get vaccinated because I didn't have enough time, and I thought that since I spend so much time in my room, I wouldn't be around anyone who had the flu."

Students need to be cautious even if they did get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the 2007 vaccine will not protect against one-fourth of Influenza A strains or against any of the B strains.

Continued...

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