During the last four weeks, Mississippi State University has been hit by a wave of illnesses such as influenza and strep throat. Students are flooding into the Longest Student Health Center to receive treatment for their illnesses. Health center director Robert Cadenhead said last year’s peak flu season brought 147 cases to the health center within a time period of six weeks. This year, there have been 208 reported cases in the last four weeks, as of Friday.
“This is actually a fairly low number for the population of students,” he said.
The health center is seeing cases of not only the flu and strep, but the occasional case of bronchitis and mononucleosis, said Dr. Bob Collins, director of university health services. Juleigh Baker, health and wellness educator for the health center, said the reason the common flu kicks in this time of year is because of the trend of how it spreads across the country.
This year MSU students are being infected with illnesses two weeks earlier than in past years.
The health center starts giving vaccinations early because the flu season begins in October. The shot takes about two weeks to become fully effective.
“If you were exposed to the flu today, but got the shot yesterday, you would not be protected from the illness,” Baker said.
Sophomore pre-architecture major Reed Miller took advantage of the flu shots available on campus.
“I think everyone should get the flu shot,” he said.
Sophomore kinesiology major Sergio Fernandez is one of the many who didn’t get the vaccination this fall.
“I never really got around to getting the flu shot,” he said.
He said he takes vitamin C to prevent himself from getting sick.
Meredith Werne, a freshman apparel, textiles and merchandising major, said she tried to keep from getting the flu by washing her hands and staying away from any friends who were sick. Nevertheless, she caught the flu.
“I have the chills. I am aching and tired and my ears hurt,” she said.
MSU should require all students to get the vaccination as an effort to lower the numbers of students getting sick each year, she said.
Baker said students can keep from getting infected by washing their hands frequently and keeping their hands away from their eyes, noses and mouths. Using waterless sanitizers is also a positive germ defense.
Students living with an infected roommate should stay out of the room as much as possible and use a lot of disinfectant, she said.
Collins said people should cover their sneezes with the inside of their arms instead of their hands.
The health center requires students who have a cough or any flu or strep symptoms to wear a blue mask in the waiting rooms to keep others from catching any illnesses.
“If you have the flu, you should stay home and take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the fever,” he said.
As for school, some teachers don’t accept the flu or strep as an excused absence.
Baker said students should try to talk to their professors in person and explain their situation.
Miller said some of his teachers do not excuse students for having the flu or strep.
Miller and Fernandez both said they would definitely not go to class if they were infected.
MSU students can try to use their receipts or prescriptions from medication as a form of validation.