Although a case of influenza always frustrates it victim, this year’s high volume of patients at Saint Louis University has made getting treatment especially aggravating for some students.

Director of the Student Health and Counseling Center Deborah Scheff, R.N., said that the center is nearing the tail end of “a very unusual” influenza, commonly called the flu, season compared to past years. The number of student cases this season was above average, she said.

College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Michelle Kizaur sought treatment from SLU’s Student Health Center, but a high volume of sick students kept her from making an appointment for a few days.

“It was so crowded . I called in Wednesday, and there were no appointments until Friday,” she said. Kizaur cancelled her first appointment, because her symptoms seemed to improve, she said. But she made a new appointment on Tuesday, Feb. 19, after a “bad cough” returned.

The flu is a viral infection, and, unlike streptococcus (strep throat)-a bacterial infection-it cannot be cured using antibiotics, according to msnhealth.com. Flu symptoms include fever, body aches, headache, dry cough and a sore throat.
“I had a persisting cough and a 102-degree fever,” Kizaur said about her symptoms.

Combatting the flu usually takes one to two weeks, and, although it cannot be cured with medicine, symptoms can be treated. Kizaur received cough medication and decongestant. Scheff urged students to come in if they feel symptoms.”They need to come in, because . we give a medication called Tamiflu. It needs to be given within 48 hours of the first symptoms,” Scheff said.

Students who receive treatment for flu can usually receive a medical note from a nurse at the health center to be excused for classes. Kizaur said she was offered one, but refused it.
“I didn’t get [a] note. Three of my teachers had [the flu], too, so they were fine about [missing class],” Kizaur said.

In some cases, the flu can spur other illnesses.

“With the flu, you can certainly get secondary infections,” Scheff said, although she said the elderly are more at risk for these infections.

The flu can also lead to illness including pneumonia. Kizaur said that she was told during her visit to the center that she had developed a bacterial infection as well, for which she received additional medication.

The number of flu cases this season is high nationwide, Scheff said. The best way to prevent the virus is to get the flu vaccination annually.

Kizaur regretted her failure to receive a flu shot.

“I called my mom [to tell her I had the flu], and she said, ‘Oh, that’s what we forgot,'” she said.