Brownsville Campus Emilio Suarez / Vaquero Radio
The flu isn’t just a cold; it can seriously distract students from their college lives or even lead to worse extremities.
Flu season runs from October through March and each year brings new risks with it.
UT Health Primary Care Dr. Daniela Hernandez said flu symptoms can include fever, chills, body aches, nasal congestion, sore throats and coughing.
Hernandez said although the flu can sometimes feel similar to a common cold, testing is the only way to know entirely and ensure patients receive treatment when needed.
“We will treat it as a common cold, right?,” Hernandez said. “But we need to be careful and make sure that the people that need to get a little bit more treatment with this antiviral oseltamivir do receive that treatment in a proper time.”
Hernandez said shared spaces such as classrooms, gyms and dorms also increase the risk of flu transmission. She said she encourages students to isolate, wear masks and maintain proper hygiene to protect others if sick.
She added one of the most effective ways to prevent the flu is getting vaccinated, staying home when sick and avoiding social events or classes while experiencing a fever.
“So, there is an annual influenza vaccine that we should receive every year with a new strain, you can get this at any of your UT Health clinics. That will be the best way to prevent the transmission of this disease,” Hernandez said.
Student Health Center Family Nurse Practitioner Amanda Rodriguez said the clinics on campus provide UTRGV students with tests.
Rodriguez said flu shots are free to students.
The nurse practitioner said the flu vaccine changes each year based on circulating strains and helps the body prepare to fight against the infection.
“It gives your body that boost if it were to be exposed to the flu virus, ” Rodriguez said.
She said she encourages students who are worried about missing class to seek medical care rather than pushing through symptoms.
“We can actually provide you with a medical note, with necessity, if you do need to be out of school. The thing is, if you actually get seen, you can get treatment and start feeling better sooner,” Rodriguez said.
Nursing junior Kayla Gutierrez said she protects herself from the flu by staying up to date with her vaccines and being mindful of her surroundings and people who might be sick.
Gutierrez said for her, although it sounds simple, washing hands plays an important role in preventing the flu.
Students can visit the UTRGV Student Health website, which lists clinic locations, phone numbers and hours of operation.
This is Emilio Suarez for Vaquero Radio.
