Healthy Pack Hot Topics Your trusted source for the most current health topics and concerns on campus! INFLUENZA (Flu) About the FluYou have heard it on the news, you have heard it from us, the flu is on campus and we are seeing the affects of it. Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. Flu season spans from October to May and the virus is easily spread from person to person. Being educated about how to the flu spreads and what to do if you get the flu is very important as the flu can be deadly. Flu Symptoms and DiagnosisThe cold and flu, although both are respiratory illnesses and the symptoms are very similar, are caused by different viruses. Learn the difference between the two so you know what next steps to take if you do get sick. How To Prevent The Flu If you have been lucky thus far to prevent the flu, read some of these tips to continue protecting yourself from this contagious virus. The best way to prevent the flu is to get the flu shot. The flu shot is offered here at Student Health. Myths About the Flu Shot The biggest myth we hear circulating around campus is “one year I got the flu shot and it gave me the flu”. The flu shot itself cannot give you the flu. The news will also tell you this year that the flu shot is “not effective”. The flu has many different strains and the shot was designed to protect from the 4 most common strains that are believed to be circulating this season. The flu shot is still very effective and is the #1 way to prevent the flu.