Kennedy Owens
Staff Writer
Prior to the holiday season, only six states were classified as “very high” in flu activity according to the FluView interactive map on the official Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Now that number has gone up to 46 states with “high” and “very high” flu activity.
There is a new variant of influenza A, known as subclade K. Once originating in Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom, it has now arrived on American soil. While there’s no added symptoms, the variant is still something to watch out for because of potentially worse reactions.
Florida is no exception. There was a reported increase in flu activity in now up to 52 counties according to an article by the Pensacola News Journal. Diagnoses are continuing to rise statewide, and college students are one of the many populations most vulnerable.
Stacey Mercadante, a nurse practitioner at the FSC Student Health Center, is noticing a rise in cases of students after exhibiting flu-like symptoms compared to last year before winter break. “We’ve only been back … about a week, but we have definitely been getting, at least maybe one to two cases a day, I would say,” Mercadante said.
Mercadante said she attributes this rise to students traveling back to campus on crowded airplanes, and other communal activities, especially coming from northern states where flu cases have been rising.
“You guys live in closer quarters together. You’re in classes together all the time, sports teams, so it’s gonna catch a little bit quicker,” she said.
When asked about who was at greater risk when getting the flu, Mercadante and advanced practice registered nurse at the Veterans Affairs Tampa Healthcare System, Catherine Clark Martin had differing views.
Mercadante believed that rather than certain groups, everyone was at risk of getting the flu because, “It doesn’t really discriminate as far as who can get it.”
Whereas, Martin said that anyone over the age of 65, those under the age of two, people like college students who live congregate living and people who smoked or had underlying health issues had higher risks of getting sick.
Alongside typical preventative measures such as handwashing and cleaning up commonly touched items or surfaces, FSC assistant professor of ecology, Dr. Lauren Griffiths stressed to students the importance of getting vaccinated.
He mentioned, though the vaccine isn’t perfect, it has shown effectiveness in reducing the risks of more severe symptoms, hospitalization and further complications.
“That benefit is often overlooked when people focus only on whether the vaccine “prevents” infection entirely,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths noted that scientists work heavily off of predictions, but can not completely avoid incorrect forecasting of upcoming dominant flu strains.
If you believe you might have the flu, get into contact with a primary care provider and they’ll see if you should be prescribed antiviral medications. Mercandante says these are most effective 48 hours after symptoms show up.
Alongside medical intervention, an article from Nuvance Health notes that there are also some interventions that can be implemented at home. Fevers could reduce appetite and can increase the chances of dehydration. Water, warm broth and electrolyte-heavy beverages are beneficial ways to mitigate this symptom. As your appetite gradually returns, target eating healthy foods such as vegetables, lean proteins and fruits to aid in recovery.
Rising flu cases may be an unfortunate consequence of the winter season. However, this is a reminder that illness can be avoided through proper precautions and early treatment of symptoms.
