Flu season is around the corner and is expected to hit Bloomsburg soon with a force unlike any other. Are you prepared for it?
Photo Courtesy of SLOVENSKO HEALTH
According to Bloomsburg’s Today Web site, “this year the Student Health Center will offer flu shots to students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, in Multipurpose Room A, KUB. No appointment is necessary and the cost is $12 per student.”
Many students won’t even take advantage of the opportunity that the Health Center is providing but as soon as the aches, coughing, sore throat, and fever possess your body, you’ll be wishing you took that $12 you spent on beer and spent it on that much needed flu vaccine.
Here is a little information about the vaccination incase you’re concerned about what that needle is injecting into your precious body.
The Weather Channel’s healthy living section describes the flu shot as “an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm.” The vaccine is actually grown inside of an egg. It is much like fighting fire with fire. And don’t worry, the virus is “inactive” so you cannot get the flu from getting the flu vaccine.
For those of you concerned about the side effects of the flu shot, fear no more. The side effects of the flu shot are found to be mild and harmless. They can include soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was administered, a low-grade fever, or mild aches. The only severe problems that can possibly occur are allergic reactions, which are rare.
If you have had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or any previous flu shot then it is obviously not advisable to get this shot.
Incase you’re worried about spending your money on a vaccine that might not even work, consider this:
“The vaccine prevents influenza in about 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than age 65 years…[and] the flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza,” according to weather.com.
So instead of being “that person” in class, coughing all over everything and distracting people, go and be proactive about your health. Take some time out of your day and some money out of your wallet and go get yourself vaccinated. Don’t let the FLU get YOU.
For more flu facts and ways to prevent the flu feel free to visit: http://www.weather.com/activities/health/coldandflu/cfflufacts.html
