Cold and flu season hits LV
Campus Times
March 14, 2003
With days hitting 80 degrees and above and the nights dropping as low
as 40 degrees, it is no wonder experts claim the sick season is here to
stay, at least for a while.
Although people usually get sick during early winter, odd weather patterns
may be part of the problem in bringing the flu and cold season in recent
weeks. Flu surveillance networks indicate that although this is not a record
year for viruses, cases are showing up later than usual, and may even continue
showing until spring.
Cynthia Denne, ULV director of student health services, said she expects
to see cold and flu patients with similar cases for the next two months.
For now, Denne said she has had plenty of patients who usually come
in sporting classic symptoms of Upper Respiratory Infection, or the common
cold.
The chances of students getting sick increases in close residence halls,
she said.
The more severe flu is also circulating. And students experiencing symptoms
should distinguish between the two.
Both the cold and the flu are viruses that are colorless and odorless,
said Dr. William Norcross, at U.C. San Diego Family and Preventive Medicine.
In a report found in the University's Health Center, Dr. Marguerite
McNeely wrote that a virus is comprised of bits of genetic information surrounded
by a protein shell that tricks cells into making many copies of the virus.
The virus copies are then released to infect new cells, she said.
"Basically a virus is something that takes time and systematic
treatment," Denne said. "It can't be cured by an antibiotic."
A virus has to run its course, unlike certain throat infections that can
be treated by antibiotics with improvement in 24 hours, she said.
The common cold, which affects some people annually, especially during
the winter months, is a viral infection that includes the symptoms of nasal
congestion, a clear runny nose, sneezing, headache and a scratchy throat,
Dr. Norcross said. Viruses that cause the cold can also cause laryngitis
or bronchitis inflammatory infections, he said.
"You just don't feel well at all," Denne said.
The flu, on the other hand, is much more serious and is the cause of
more than 69 million work or school days lost in a year in the United States,
Dr. McNeely said.
The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract that also strikes primarily
in winter, Dr. Norcross said.
"Again the flu is just another viral infection. It has no magic
medicine," Denne said.
Although commonly mistaken for gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach
flu, the flu's symptoms tend to include much more than stomach pain, she
said.
The flu tends to cause less congestion than the common cold, Dr. McNeely
said.
Although people in good health usually do not have to see a doctor for
regular cold symptoms, Dr. Norcross suggests seeing a doctor if cold symptoms
worsen. A fever higher than 102 degrees, asthma, ear infection, laryngitis,
bronchitis or symptoms lasting longer than 10 days are signals that the
disease is more serious than the common cold.
Whether or not you choose to do something about it, a cold will run
its course in 7 to 10 days, Denne said. Time is usually what heals a cold,
she said.
Prevention is key, and drinking eight glasses of fluid daily, and getting
adequate rest are a few ways to prevent catching a cold, Dr. Norcross said.
Stress and exhaustion will only make you more likely to get sick.
Denne also suggests washing your hands frequently as a preventive measure.
"But how many actually take this advice?" she said. "(Unfortunately
on campus) people always shake hands, share drinks and books."
There is no proven medical treatment for a cold, Dr. Norcross said,
though over-the-counter medications might help relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
He also recommends decongestants to ease nasal congestion, aspirin, acetaminophen
or ibuprofen for aches and pains and lozenges, sprays and mouthwashes to
soothe the throat.
ULV's Health Center usually recommends over the counter medication to
those suffering cold symptoms, Denne said. The Center gives students packets
of medicine to hold them over until they can head over to the drug store
themselves.
Other suggestions for prevention are keeping distance from people who
are sneezing and coughing, Dr. Norcross said. Also avoid touching your nose
and eyes because viruses invade the body through nasal mucous membranes
or down tear ducts, he said.
To determine whether what you have is a cold or the flu, Dr. McNeely
says to look for the following flu symptoms: muscle aches, fever and chills,
headache, dry cough or weakness.
"The worst symptoms generally last only a few days," Dr. McNeely
said. "The feeling of exhaustion may last longer."
Complications of the flu include the following: shaking, chills, high
fever that lasts more than 2-3 days, severe headache if associated with
fever or neck stiffness, dark urine, severe muscle pain or tenderness, wheezing
or other difficulty breathing beyond cough or stuffiness, she said. Symptoms
that do not get better after seven days, or get worse again after getting
better are a signal that a doctor visit is necessary.
"The most common complication of influenza is pneumonia,"
said Dr. Leland Rickman, medical director U.C. San Diego Epidemiology Unit,
Department of Medicine. "The most important thing for people to do
to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated on a yearly basis."
"The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the
flu vaccine for anyone who wishes to reduce the chances of getting the flu,"
Dr. McNeely said. The vaccine reduces the chance of catching the flu by
75 percent if taken each year.
Despite common belief, students are not liable to get the flu as a result
of taking the vaccine.
"Influenza vaccine does not cause the flu or any other illness,"
Dr. Norcross said. "It is made from killed virus, and is incapable
of infecting anyone."
Flu shots must be given every year because there are different strains
of the flu, Dr. McNeely said.
She recommends getting a flu shot from October to November.
Denne said that one year's vaccine consists of three of the most virulent
strains found the year before.
The hope is that a vaccine will be the best defense against the same
strains. It is only a best guess, she said.
Perhaps misconceptions have kept some students from getting the flu
shot during the recommended fall season. As a result, the University Health
Center has seen its share of flu sufferers.
"We still have some vaccines left from our fall campaign,"
Denne said. "But I don't know that I'd recommend to get the dose now.
It takes two weeks to kick in."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said those at
high risk for developing serious complications due to influenza infection
should get the vaccine. This advice is aimed for those susceptible to pneumonia.
Other steps to prevent the flu are washing hands often, keeping in good
health by eating healthy, exercising and resting and not smoking, Dr. McNeely
said.
Keep yourself comfortable, rest and drink lots of fluids is Denne's
advice for those suffering the flu.
"By fluids, I say anything you feel comfortable drinking, anything
that gives you liquid or hydration," she said. "Milk can cause
phlegm, though. But everyone has his or her own taste.
"If people washed their hands more, and if people didn't smoke
cigarettes, they could avoid several illnesses," Denne said. "It's
so simple, but we forget to do this."
UV senior Cesi Covarrubias, who recently had a throat infection and
a runny nose, agreed with Denne's advice.
Covarrubias said it is easy to forget that one can get sick just by
sharing drinks, which is what she believes got her sick.
Although she found the Student Center's posted hours inconvenient, Covarrubias
said she found the doctors to be helpful and friendly.
"We try our best to work everyone in. That's what we're here for,"
Denne said.
Denne encourages students to visit the Health Center after 24 hours
of experiencing symptoms at the posted hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
Monday through Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
