Pat Walker Health Center Prepares You to Fight the Flu

The Pat Walker Health Center wants members of the University of Arkansas community to stay healthy this holiday season and combat symptoms of the flu.

The health center staff has already seen more cases of the flu this season compared to this time last year and encourages everyone to get a vaccination, practice good respiratory hygiene and treat the illness early.

The flu vaccine is still available on campus. You can visit the Allergy, Immunization and Travel Clinic located on the first floor of the Pat Walker Health Center Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m. to receive the vaccine without an appointment. If you cannot make it within those times, you can call and schedule an appointment at 479-575-7723.

In addition to the vaccine, practice respiratory hygiene by coughing into your elbow or covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. The flu virus is spread by droplets during coughing and sneezing, which can be transmitted person to person, or by touching a surface infected with flu germs and then touching your mouth or nose. Wash your hands frequently, especially before touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Students, faculty and staff who begin to experience flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue and body aches, are advised to seek medical treatment in a timely manner to reduce the severity of the flu.

"Students should visit the health center if they start developing flu symptoms," said Huda Sharaf, medical director at the Pat Walker Health Center. "We have physicians and nurse practitioners available to care for their acute symptoms and offer advice regarding minimizing further spread on campus."

The flu is contagious, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention affirms that most healthy adults may be able to infect others one day before they experience symptoms and up to five to seven days after becoming ill.

The Pat Walker Health Center wants all students, faculty and staff to have a happy, healthy winter break. By following the advice of a medical provider, the flu can be treated in a timely manner. The health center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays until Wednesday, Dec. 24. The health center will reopen Monday, Jan. 5, 2015.