Beyond spring, summer, fall, and winter lie dormant another season; the Flu Season.
Although it is not marked on our annual calendars, the Flu Season occurs during the cold months of each hemisphere. This time period is characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of the Influenza (Flu).
Natasha Howell, the campus nurse, explains the how the flu may be difficult to differentiate from the common cold.
“Unfortunately, [the symptoms] are very much like the common cold.” Howell elaborates. “You can have a stuffy or running nose, possibly cough, sore throat, headache, fever, fatigue, and typically body aches.”
From the moment of contracting the virus, you begin a period of incubation. It is possible to be contagious before even exhibiting outward symptoms, this mostly happens within the first few days. For up to 14 days, symptomatic or not, you can infect others with the flu.
This particular pathogen spreads quickly and easily, so getting ahead of the annual contagion is the most effective way to protect your body from the viral illness.
“The two best ways to prevent the flu is to get the flu vaccine, which you cannot get the flu from since it is an inactive form, and wash your hands.” Howell says.
However, if you do come down with the flu, it is important to see your doctor, drink a lot of fluids, and rest your body. Because the influenza is a virus, rather than a bacteria, you cannot take antibiotics to treat this. Viruses are usually cared for by taking prescribed medicine that can help your symptoms, such as fever or body aches, instead of the viral infection itself. Furthermore, with the intention of letting the virus just pass, most doctors advocate for you to rest if you have the flu.
As the Flu Season has yet to arrive in full force, Timber Creek only has a few confirmed cases of the influenza. Also, on a broader spectrum, Tarrant County is recorded to just have sporadic activity of the virus at this time.
Alongside most people, Howell wants to keep the the flu to a low level this season.
“Cover your sneezes, coughs, and practice handwashing, handwashing, handwashing,” Howell emphasizes. “Make sure you wash your hands!”
