Influenza has spread throughout the nation over the last month at epidemic proportions, according to many health professionals. Flu season can last until April, so taking preventative steps to avoid the virus is important. 

Flu vaccination policies at the University are not required for students without good reason. The vaccinations reduce the chance of becoming sick with influenza, a viral disease that ails the respiratory system and is most active during the winter of each year. This year’s virus seems to be particularly widespread.  

“The current flu season is notable for its early peak of activity across many states,” said Mark Holley, administrative health advisor at Carle Foundation hospital in Urbana.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that 24 states display high activity levels of the flu and 47 show at least widespread activity. Compared with previous years, the current flu season is unusual for its high levels of activity in December and early January. Past seasons tended to show an increase in subsequent weeks around late January or February.

Several states with high levels of activity have confirmed at least 74 deaths as a result of the flu, generally among elderly and children. 

“The current flu vaccine being distributed contains antibodies to three influenza viruses,” said Tom Frieden, director of CDC, in a news release Friday.

The predominant virus, known as H3N2, has matched well with the antibodies, along with the H1N1 virus included in the vaccine. Tests conducted by the CDC show H3N2 and H1N1 have matched above 99 percent with the vaccine, which display a high chance of immunization. But a third strain matched just 66.7 percent of the time. According to the CDC, 20.2 percent of the viruses collected from patients were the third strain.

“If you got vaccinated you were about 60 percent less likely to get the flu,” Frieden said. “The flu vaccine is far from perfect, but it’s still by far the best tool we have to prevent the flu.”

Despite reports of several deaths and widespread activity of the seasonal flu, several health officials say that this season is not dramatically different from past years. 

“The word ‘epidemic’ is being used to signify the unusual numbers of cases in comparison to a theoretical baseline,” said Dr. Robert Palinkas, director of the McKinley Health Center. “The term is a little misleading because it adds a lot of urgency and anxiety to something that is actually fairly normal for flu.”

Although activity in some states decreased last week, this is no indicator of an early end to influenza in 2013. Flu season usually extends to as far as April. 

The National Institutes of Health report that the flu spreads from person to person through two common methods. 

Coughing, sneezing or talking to someone who has the flu is the main way viruses travel from person to person, and transmission can travel up to six feet. Contact with surfaces or objects that contain flu viruses can potentially infect others as well. 

But students can easily keep themselves healthy during flu season.

“The first and most important thing is for anyone to receive a vaccine,” Holley said. “It takes time for the body to develop immunity to the viruses and the vaccines don’t always work, but they will at least lessen effects of sickness.”

Students can receive vaccinations at local pharmacies inside many Walgreens and CVS stores in the Champaign-Urbana area. Vaccinations are also available at the McKinley Health Center, although Palinkas said supplies are becoming tight. Cost for vaccinations vary at each location and depend on students’ insurance plans.

Next, Holley recommended that students thoroughly and frequently wash their hands in order to eliminate chances of infection from touching contagious surfaces. Scrubbing soap diligently on the palms and cleaning out nails for at least 20 seconds on a regular basis will greatly reduce chances of indirect contamination. If this process sounds monotonous, be sure to sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself at least twice while washing to take up the right amount of time.

Health professionals advise students to stay out of direct contact with anyone who is sick, but those who are infected may be hard to distinguish when people on a college campus often look miserable.

“We can all work together to avoid spreading infections,” Palinkas said. “All should learn proper cough etiquette and hand hygiene. Stay away from others when sick, don’t expose others when you are sick.” 

Palinkas advocated for students who are sick to stay inside, drink plenty of fluids and rest up. If roommates are the one who are unfortunately ill, use disinfectant spray and hand sanitizer to keep rooms as clean as possible.

Worries of a health epidemic and another viewing of “Contagion” can stir fears, but there is no need to rush around campus in a biohazard suit just yet. With the extra health boost and a hygienic strategy, students are likely to stay able-bodied and active for the new semester. 

Adlai can be reached at [email protected].