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Show The Signpost Page 3 Shots continued from front Monday, October 13, 2003 Weber County has already had reported cases of the flu virus. According to the Weber-Morgan County Health Department, doctors have been reporting mild cases of influenza and several cases of the common cold. According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness, the average adult gets two to four respiratory infections a year, and children get even more. Flu outbreaks usually begin suddenly and occur mainly in the late fall and winter. The disease spreads through communities quickly, with the number of cases peaking within three to four weeks, affecting nearly half of the community. There is a greater risk of getting infected in highly populated areas, such as in crowded living conditions and in schools. "It's more likely in school, where it's close quarters in classrooms and areas where a lot of people are," Larsen said. "Influenza is an airborne virus that can be picked up from someone coughing, sneezing and drinking out of the same containers." Touching a surface like a telephone or doorknob that has been contaminated by someone who has the flu can also spread the virus. The virus can pass through the air and enter the body through the nose and mouth, or after touching something, a person can pass it from the hands to the nose or mouth. Usually, doctors or other health care workers diagnose the flu on the basis of whether it is prevalent in the community and whether the patient's complaints fit the current pattern of symptoms. The main way to keep from getting the flu is to get a yearly flu shot. "The variety or strain of flu we're immunizing against, changes every year," Larsen said. Nine to 10 months before the flu season begins, scientists prepare a new vaccine made from inactivated (killed) flu viruses. The vaccine preparation is based on the strains of the flu viruses that are in circulation at the time. The human immune system takes time to respond to the flu vaccine. Getting a shot 6 to 8 weeks before the season begins will decrease the risk of getting the flu. Pharmacist James Nielsen said the flu shot is a major preventative measure and "it makes the symptoms less severe if you do get the flu." Symptoms of the flu are noticeable within one to four days of getting infected and may include headache, chills, dry cough, body aches, fever, stuffy nose and a sore throat. The flu almost never causes symptoms in the stomach and intestines. The illness that some people call the . "stomach flu" is not influenza. Although the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent getting the flu, three antiviral medications also are available by prescription that will help in treating the symptoms. Someover-the-counter medications are also available to treat various symptoms. "Depending on the symptoms, I would suggest an antihistamine for the nasal symptoms; and for the cough, something that has dextromethorphan, and Tylenol for the aches and pains," Nielsen said. Many people treat their flu infections by simply resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking over-the-counter medicine. "One of the most important things students need to do is make sure they eat right, get plenty of rest and take care of themselves, taking time for diet and exercise," Larsen said. You can reach reporter Wendy Leonard by calling 626-7121. -D- Is It a Cold or the Flu? Symptoms Cold Flu Fever Rare Characteristic, high (102-104F); lasts 3-4 days Headache Rare Prominent General Aches, Pains Slight Usual: often severe Fatigue, Weakness Quite mild Can last up to 2-J weeks Extreme Exhaustion Never Early and prominent Stuffy Nose Common Sometimes Sneezing Usual Sometimes Sore Throat Common Sometimes Chest Discomfort. .Mild to moderate; Common; can become severe Cough hacking cough Complications Sinus congestion Bronchitis, pneumonia; or earache can be life-threatening Prevention None Annual vaccination: antiviral medicines see your doctor Treatment Only temporary relief Antiviral medicines of symptoms see your doctor Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (c) 2001 Wildcard continued from front with the process of re-carding that took place in the Shepherd Union Lair. "The lines moved fast and the cards printed within a minute," Hill said. "The longest people had to wait was maybe 10 minutes." Fruth said although Wildcard Services is no longer producing new Wildcards in the Lair, WSU community members can still get their new cards from the Wildcard office at the Shepherd Union Building information booth. "The process continues right now and it will continue even after the Fruth said. "We'll have more capacity at the Union, the Wildcard area at the information desk, than we normally have beginning on the 13th for about a month." Fruth added that there is no fee for replacing cards or exchanging old cards for new cards. There are some people who are not happy about having to get a new card, Hill said, but the benefits outweigh the complaints. "I didn't necessarily enjoy working it, but I had a problem with people who were no longer students using the benefits of students that had paid student fees," Hill said. "With this new card, that will no longer be a problem. Benefits like the gym, games and the library; if you're not a student, even for a semester, you shouldn't be allowed these benefits, only students actually going to school." You can reach reporter Natalie Cutler by calling 626-7655. Li .i.iwmi I "'J.ni.i. j.jlij. 4 mi .... i immji i i lUfjjiymHjuijt plujmjuj ijijii) .ujn nuuum i iJjJiiiiiiiiiii.iii.XiOiWJUi!llll.. 9 I i!iiiii)iiiiiMiliiM.iiilii.i IIUII mi hi i IHWMIHNmiMirP,111 "WWWMlWMMMTi mWMMWnraWIWMHI ' ' llflWIWWaWMWBMWMHnBTWW ; " : : !; i -: !' ... I . ' t ? I ' ; : ; V I t ' " ' . . i , I ' ' 1 .". ? -i ; : - . ' - J b 7 f -jiwi& yj $ '' r f. . ' i - .... , '. , . It's now free on UTA with your Wildcard, and every scat has an excellent view. Just show your card as you board to ride anywhere the UTA bus II T A or TRAX goes. Sorry, not valid on Ski Bus or Paratransit service. 1 8 8 B-RID t-UTA www.rideofa.com U I mimfm |