Increase in Influenza cases

Student Health Service has begun to identify increasing numbers of cases of influenza, starting the week of October 30, 2022. This is consistent with significant increases in cases of influenza in our community and North Carolina.  

According to the CDC, the best way to prevent influenza is by getting an influenza vaccine every year.  

Symptoms of influenza include:

• fever or feeling feverish/chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• headaches
• fatigue (tiredness)
• some may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Individuals with symptoms of influenza should:

• remain at home or in their residence hall rooms (isolate) until their symptoms are improved and until they have not had a fever (without using fever-reducing medications) for 24 hours.

Attending class, participating in activities or going to work increases the risk of spreading influenza to others. 

Most individuals will recover from influenza in a few days and without complications. Individuals with underlying health conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma, underlying heart disease, etc.) that increase the risk of complications from influenza should seek care from their healthcare providers to consider taking an anti-flu viral medication such as Tamiflu.  

For more information about influenza see: cdc.gov/flu/about/keyfacts.htm