The flu has hit Seton Hall University hard with several students contracting the illness.
Although flu season has been in effect for several months, a number of students who went through sorority recruitment the weekend of Feb. 2 came down with the flu.
[caption id="attachment_21079" align="aligncenter" width="838"]
Diane Lynch, the director of Health Services said that they have seen more flu activity this year than in the past.
Adrian Chavez/Staff Photographer[/caption]
Erin Hoffman, a junior business major who received a flu shot, shared that many of her sisters in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority have contracted the flu.
“After last weekend, which was sorority recruitment, many girls had gotten the flu and it all spread,” she said.
Sheba Yu, a senior mathematics major who did not receive a flu shot, shared why she thinks she caught the flu.
“Most of the hand sanitizing stations don’t work (on campus) and you can’t open any windows to let the air circulate so germs are just circulating the air,” she said.
Diane Lynch, the director of Health Services, said via email that the best way to prevent contracting the flu is to get the shot.
“Getting a flu shot is the best way to avoid getting the flu,” Lynch said. “Even in a year where the flu shot is not perfectly matched, those who have been vaccinated seem to fare much better,” she said.
She also shared that Health Services is seeing much more flu activity this year and that that is consistent with what they are seeing in the greater community.
“The flu is always concerning because it can cause severe illness, she said. “This is more likely to occur in those who are in high risk groups like those who are under 5 years of age or over 65 years of age, those with asthma or diabetes and anyone with an immunocompromising
condition.”
Lynch said that students should be washing their hands frequently, getting adequate sleep and eating healthy.
John Signorello, associate vice president of Facilities Engineering and Business Affairs, shared via email the steps that SHU is taking to help ill students.
“Although there have not been any special requests for extra cleaning by the University, GDS is offering free delivery of meals and fluids to the students in residence halls who have been seen Health Services and are confirmed suffering from the flu and can’t get to the University Center for meals,” he wrote.
In addition, Signorello shared that any GDS employee that is sick will be sent home, all tables and napkin holders in the cafeteria will be cleaned after each meal and signs will be posted to make sure students filling “to go” beverage containers do not make contact with the beverage nozzles.
Isabel Soisson can be reached at isabel.soisson@student.shu.edu
Comments
