Flu season is striking hard this year: the number of cases have reached a record national high.
The District has seen an increase in flu reports from 97 last season to 310 this season, according to a Washington Post blog.
Flu activity usually peaks during February, about halfway through the flu season, which runs from October to May, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) charts.
Dan Bruey, director of the Student Health Center, gives several tips to prevent spreading the flu.
To stay healthy, students should:
• wash their hands
• use tissues;
• throw away used tissues;
• stay home and not attend classes when they are sick;
• drink fluids;
• not share cups, utensils or personal items;
• get a flu shot.
Staying home can be problematic for students with demanding schedules, according to Bruey.
“Some students don’t like to stay put when they’re sick,” Bruey said.
Bruey also encourages students to get the flu shot. Vaccines are provided for free at the Health Center, as well as at clinics in Mary Graydon Center. As a result of the flu outbreak, more vaccines have been ordered this year, according to Bruey. More students also got the flu shot after winter break, he said.
“Your chances of not getting the flu are better when you’re vaccinated,” Bruey said.
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