Karen Borchers, KRT CampusEditor’s Note (10-18-04): This story originally reported that the flu could be treated by antibiotics. In fact, antibiotics kill bacteria, and the flu is a viral disease; therefore, antibiotics do not treat the flu.
This time last year, a flu epidemic swept through campus, leaving students woozy and drained. But for those hoping a flu shot will prevent a recurrence this fall, officials at Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) say they are out of luck.
A shortage in the influenza vaccine has prompted the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to issue an advisory saying flu shots should only go to “at risk” individuals-including young children and the elderly, people with diabetes or chronic lung or heart disorders, and health care workers. The CDC projected that nearly half of the nation’s flu vaccine will not be distributed this year because one manufacturer’s supply was contaminated.
In fact, due to the shortage, SHCS has not yet received any doses of the flu inoculation. Washington University’s School of Medicine has applied for an allotment of the vaccine, and will share that stock with SHCS based on the amount they receive and inoculation priorities.
Director of Health Services Alan Glass admits to concerns about the “worst-case scenario”-an influenza outbreak on campus. Last year a “moderately severe” epidemic hit campus during the fall semester, though flu season generally reaches its height in January and February. Administrators worried that a second, stronger virus would infect students in those winter months, but it never did.
“I think the whole thing is pretty unpredictable at this point,” said Glass. “We could be fortunate and be spared a significant flu outbreak, which is certainly a possibility. Or we could have an outbreak.”
The SHCS office has been “inundated” recently with calls from students who want the vaccine, said Associate Director Debra Harp.
“So many people are calling us, it’s taking away from our patient care,” said Harp. “Students, parents-everybody is calling. I would say we’re receiving as many as 50 calls a day. It’s pretty much inundated the nursing staff.”
Harp reiterated that health administrators have no idea how many vaccines the University will receive. Last year, the school was allotted 1200 doses of the flu vaccine, but there is no chance of a similar amount this year. Harp estimated that in the past, “90 percent or better” of flu shot recipients on campus have been students.
If the school does receive the flu vaccine, Glass says he will follow the CDC’s recommendations on who should get the coveted shot.
“If and when we ultimately get the flu vaccine, we’ll use the CDC criteria for the distribution of that vaccine,” said Glass. “So students that fit into any of those [at risk] categories would be the priority. We would be going by the guidance of the CDC, so students who didn’t fit the criteria would not be receiving the vaccine.”
Right now, Glass says the CDC is controlling distribution of the immunization, with a priority on pediatric offices, nursing homes and hospitals. But the city of St. Louis is also in dire need of the vaccine, and flu shots are increasingly difficult to come by. (See sidebar for more information.)
Glass offered several options for students hoping to avoid the virus. Health Services has applied for a new flu vaccine on the market, FluMist, which is designed specifically for lower-risk patients. FluMist is a live vaccine that could be harmful to the “high-risk” individuals who would qualify for the flu shot. However, the nasal spray is also on back order, and it costs $60, much pricier than the $10 Health Services usually charges for a flu shot.
For individuals, Glass said the most important method of prevention is hand washing. He added that individuals suffering from flu symptoms should avoid large crowds to keep from spreading the disease.
“The hand-washing is really way more significant than people think,” said Glass, who also recommended a “good diet, plenty of rest” to keep the immune system strong. “Basically take care of your own health so your body has the ability to fight the flu.”
Sophomore Danielle Weiner has stopped by Health Services three times already to ask about the flu vaccine.
“I was really hoping to get a flu shot this year because I’m tired and overworked, and I was hoping to prevent getting the flu in any way possible,” said Weiner.
After learning that the University would not be able to provide most students with the shot, Weiner is just hoping to stay healthy.
“I’m going to have to just be more careful now and make sure that I’m washing my hands more, and maybe working even harder to get enough sleep, because I can’t afford to get sick this winter,” said Weiner.
If it’s too late for prevention, Glass said some new medicines on the market could help relieve flu symptoms. Health Services will offer oral flu medication.
“What they do is decrease the time-course of the illness by one to two days, and, more significantly, decrease the severity of the symptoms,” Glass said.
The SCHS’s Health and Wellness Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the Gargoyle. In the past few years, SCHS has offered 400 free flu shots for students at the event. Debra Harp of Health Services said she generally inoculated 700 people during the fair-both students and their families who were in town for Parents’ Weekend.
This year, Health Service employees will not offer the vaccine; instead, they will provide information about the CDC advisory and provide students with advice on infection prevention.
Senior David Fooshee said in the past, he has considered the health fair flu shot a win-win proposition.
“It’s free, and I’d rather not have the flu interrupting my studies,” said Fooshee.
However, he said he was not too concerned about this year’s shortage.
“I’m sure we’ll see more flu, but I’m not really worried about it,” said Fooshee. “If it’s not available and there are these other people who really need it, then I guess I just won’t worry about it, and do my best to stay healthy.”
Senior Andy McKee said he has gotten the shot in years past to placate his mother, a doctor. He said he wasn’t worried about a flu outbreak on campus.
“Mostly I think it gives me an excuse to tell my mom,” said McKee.
Harp referred students looking for more information to the SHCS Web site, www.restech.wustl.edu/shcs. Any Health Services updates will be posted online.
“We’re sitting here waiting too,” Harp said. “As soon as we have information, we’re putting it on our Web site.”
How to stay healthy without a flu shot
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick.
– If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands often to help protect you from germs.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Source: www.cdc.gov