Health Center prepares for flu

The IU Health Center, 600 N. Jordan Ave., is preparing for the flu season, which normally hits around January and lasts until April, Center Director Dr. Hugh Jessop said. \nWith winter still in full swing and students spending more time inside and interacting more closely, the stress of classes and coming back from break can be major contributors to the spread of flu bug, Jessop said.\nJessop said while there have not been many flu cases at the Health Center this year, nurses and doctors know the flu season is yet to come. The flu is an infection of the respiratory tract, and it usually takes one to two weeks to recover.\nJessop said statistically there will be more flu cases this year because the flu vaccine was not given to students until much later than normal.\nUsually people can receive the vaccine as early as October, but that was not the case in many areas of the country, according to the Health Center's Web site. Flu vaccine manufacturers told the Federal Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that vaccine shipments would be late.\nDirector of Medical Pathology Dr. Mark Braun said the vaccine is made up of four or five flu viruses, which doctors predicted would be a problem for the year.\n"The flu vaccine tricks the immune system into getting ready for battle," Braun said.\nHe said the immune system will recognize and remember the virus, so when the actual virus enters the body, the immune system can fight it off.\nJessop said the Health Center typically sees about 350 appointment patients and 130-170 walk-in patients each day during flu season. He said primetime for patients is 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.\nFreshman Ann Glasscock was at the Health Center for the first time Monday afternoon, showing classic flu symptoms.\n"I was feeling terrible and came to see what can be done about it," Glasscock said. She said she was told it was probably just a cold and would feel better in a couple of days.\nJessop said when things begin to pick up, the center uses any extra available staff to accommodate the busy season.\nSince the vaccine was not available to students until after winter break, Jessop said there are still about 700 doses of the flu vaccine at the center. No appointment is needed, and the $8 fee will be charged to the student's bursar bill, according to the Web site.