Flu season is just around the corner and Texas A&M International University students’ hectic schedules and lifestyles make them prone to becoming infected with the flu virus. This however, can be prevented.
Elizabeth Dodier, RN, the Student Health Services, recommends that students wash their hands often and intake plenty of vitamin C, either by eating fruits, drinking juices, and/or an over the counter vitamin C supplements. Dodier also stressed that it’s important that students maintain a balanced diet and good night sleep.
Although sleep might seem irrelevant it does play a key role in restoring the mind and body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), their efforts at prevention include, “A yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.”
Therefore, the Student Health Services will be administering free flu vaccines within the next to weeks. All students will be advised through UConnect.
The CDC also highly recommends that people with a medical condition such as asthma, allergies, etc, take the vaccine. Dodier also mentioned that several students have already visited Student Health Services due to respiratory infections.
If you think that you might have the flu visit your family doctor, intake plenty of fluids, and stay home to get plenty of rest. By assisting to class not only will you worsen your condition, but you can spread the virus among your classmates.
For more information you can visit the Student Health Services in Student Center 125, call them at 956-326-2235.
Also visit CDC website at www.cdc.gov for more information on flu prevention and protection.