There are things you can do to avoid the swine flu
BY AMANDA SMILEY
Issue date: 10/6/09 Section: Campus News
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about both the seasonal flu
and the H1N1 swine flu, students
should be aware of steps they can
take to try to avoid getting either
strain.
Such steps are especially important
now, given that the fall and
winter months are typically peak
times for influenza outbreaks.
The most important thing students
can do is get both a seasonal
flu shot and one for the H1N1
strain.
Many drug stores in our area
now administer flu shots. CVS's
Minute Clinics are administering
them daily. The website says, "It's
quick, easy, and you don't even
need an appointment."
This is an appealing offer for
those who hate waiting in doctor's
office waiting rooms. TheMinute
Clinic closest to Bucks is located
in the Newtown CVS store #5447
on 200 South Lincoln Ave.
Other local stores administering
the shots are Walgreens, Genaurdi's
Pharmacy, and Acme in
Newtown.
Although many people will run
to drug stores to protect themselves
from the flu, it is still important
to be educated on what the
flu is and how it is spread. Because
the shots aren't completely
guaranteed to work, there are
other ways to stay flu-free
throughout the season.
Influenza, what many call the
flu, is an extremely contagious
respiratory illness caused by various
influenza viruses. Flu symptoms
are very similar to the
symptoms of a common cold.
Those infected by the flu might
experience coughing, fever, fatigue,
sneezing, or congestion.
Although these symptoms can
make a person feel horrible, it's
also important to understand that
the flu is usually not an extremely
dangerous sickness. It is the
symptoms of the flu that can
break down one's immune system.
That can lead to pneumonia,
worsening pre-existing conditions,
dehydration, or sinus and
ear infections.
Michelle Laufer, an R.N. living
in Bucks County, offers some insight
on what kind of person is at
high risk for complications when
contracting the flu.
"Any person with a compromised
immune system faces a
higher risk of catching the flu and
becoming seriously ill from it,"
she said.
She described particular age
groups that should be especially
cautious during the flu season:
"The elderly, infants, and pregnant
women."
According to FamilyDoctor.org,
the following groups may have a
higher risk of complications from
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