Flu epidemic rumors dispelled
Brittany Smith / News Editor
Rumors have spread around campus about a flu epidemic and
the possible visit from the Center for Disease Control due to
the increased illness. However, the rumors were devalued once
a press release was issued on Feb. 10 stating the large
number of flu case, there is not an epidemic at Elon.
An epidemic is defined as one-third to one-half of the
campus population. So far, only about 20 percent of the
entire campus has been diagnosed with the flu since Jan. 31.
The Health Center reports its flu cases to the CDC once a
week. The reports are used to compile North Carolina
statistics about the disease and how many people have been
affected. Many other universities do the same thing. The CDC
is not visiting campus.
The press release also announced that in order to
accommodate the increased flu cases, the Health Center is
open longer hours. It is open Monday through Thursday from
8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and 8:30 a.m until 4:30 p.m. on
Fridays. Saturdays the Health Center is open from 11 a.m.
until 3 p.m. According to Jana Lynn Patterson, associate dean
of Students, the best time to go to the Health Center is
between 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Nurse practitioners and other staff are working longer hours
to aid students. “I am now working 11 hours on this new
schedule,” Kitty Parrish, director of Health Services,
said.
Prevention Tips
5 ways to protect yourself
1. Avoid smoke and alcohol because they weaken the
immune system
2. Drink plenty of fluids for hydration
3. Wash hands frequently and thoroughly
4. Avoid decongestants, they do not relieve symptoms
because the flu is viral
5. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night
Contact Brittany Smith at pendulum@elon.edu or
278-7247.
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