Although the warmer temperatures have been a welcome sign of early spring, there is one upcoming season that is not as pleasant: flu season.
According to the University Health Center, the first few cases of influenza were reported yesterday, marking the arrival of flu season on campus.
Jenny Soyke, the Health Center’s medical director, said the reported flu cases may be the first in Eugene and Springfield. PeaceHealth Laboratories, which serves all of the local area hospitals, has not announced any new cases at its labs.
Soyke said symptoms of the flu may include the following ailments: a swollen, sore or scratchy throat; high fever; runny nose and sneezing; headaches; body aches; fatigue; and earaches.
“There is no cause for alarm, as most people do not get particularly ill with flu,” Soyke said in a press release. “People with symptoms of flu don’t necessarily need to be seen by a physician or nurse practitioner for simple flu symptoms; however, we’re happy to help students sort that out with telephone advice.”
To prevent the spread or contraction of the flu, Soyke has advised University members to take the following precautions: “Wash your hands, cover your cough, stay home if you’re sick, and get a flu shot if you haven’t had one already.”
Students who expect to miss classes have been advised by Academic Advising and the University Health Center to notify their professors that they are ill and unable to attend, since the Health Center is unable to write “sick notes” for students. Additional information can be found at the health center’s website at http://healthcenter.uoregon.edu
[email protected]