The health center has already seen one reported case of the flu and expects to see more in the upcoming months, said Kathy VanVechten, a nurse practitioner at Syracuse University Health Services.

Upstate University Hospital has not diagnosed any flu cases in the area, according to the hospital’s admitting office.

Flu season generally runs from October to May, according to the New York State Department of Health’s website. Students typically begin to fall sick in December, when finals begin and students get busy, VanVechten said. She said it’s important that students get vaccinated, and the earlier they get a flu shot, the better.

There has been a steady number of kids getting vaccinated each day, VanVechten said, and the process is very quick and easy for students.

Health Services is giving out flu vaccines during the month of October on Wednesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m., according to Health Services’ website.

After October there will still be vaccines available in the adult clinics as needed, VanVechten said.

Some of the symptoms of the flu include high fever, coughing and body aches that can last from five to ten days or longer.

VanVechten said that in order to prevent the flu, students should get a flu shot, frequently wash their hands and cough or sneeze into their arms.

The single best way to prevent from getting the flu is to be vaccinated each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website. There are two types of vaccinations: flu shots and nasal spray. Currently, Health Services offers flu shots for students.

During the past few years, the amount of kids getting the flu vaccine has increased, VanVechten said.

Mark Rodriguez, a sophomore biochemistry major, said he has never had the flu.

“I plan to eat healthy, exercise and take vitamins to prevent from getting sick,” he said.

Shavon McKinstry, a sophomore undeclared major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, said she has never had the flu and has never known anyone who’s had it. She said she doesn’t plan on getting vaccinated.

Said McKinstry: “I will take multi-vitamins and cross my fingers.”

Published on October 17, 2012 at 12:58 am

Contact Dayo: dtadelak@syr.edu