Listen Here
By Lucille Snoke, SnokeL@Findlay.edu
University of Findlay students find themselves battling more than just midterms—flu numbers have skyrocketed, leaving many wondering what’s causing the sudden outbreak.
Director of Health Services at the University of Findlay, Tara Smith, leads the on-campus endeavors to keep all students well and healthy year-round. Influenza A numbers on UF’s campus alone have tripled from January to February.
“Four tested positive in January and 12 tested positive in February,” Smith said. “This virus is really wiping these kids out. They have high fevers and just must rest for days to get through it.”
Hancock County Epidemiologist, Hannah Plumley shares recent statistics providing evidence for the increase in flu cases this season.
“This flu season alone, we have seen 103 flu hospitalizations of Hancock County residents.” Plumley said. “80% of those hospitalized for flu have not received a flu vaccination this season.”
Many question why the vaccination rates are down this year.
“There are a couple reasons. People forget how serious the flu can actually be, and misinformation spread by social media,” Plumley said.
She explained how people believe what they read online or believe what an influential figure has told them.
One common misconception is that the flu shot causes the flu.
“It (the flu shot) is an inactivated virus that is used to make the influenza vaccine, so it physically cannot cause illness,” Plumley said. “The goal for the flu shot is to keep you out of the hospital if you get the flu.”
Plumley says vaccines are not only a good health decision, but a good financial decision.
“It costs much less to give people flu vaccinations than it does for the health care system to have to deal with all of these hospitalizations,” Plumley said. “It costs the person less too. Most insurance companies pay for your flu shot or charge a minimal fee; in the end that is going to cost you a lot less than a hospitalization will. If you end up in the ICU, your flu hospitalization could end up costing you $50,000.”
University of Findlay freshman Emily Nauman is one of many students on campus who contracted the flu. Nuaman says the University of Findlay Health Center, Cosiano, employees helped make sure she was well taken care of in a timely manner.
“Taking care of patients is where my passion really is,” Smith said. “Working at the University and with this team of people has been one of the greatest joys of my job.”
Smith says the highly contagious Influenza A, currently spiking in numbers, is a respiratory issue and differs from the stomach flu.
Nauman mentioned the biggest impacts from the increase in flu cases are significant class absences, whether teachers or students are out sick.
“Two things all students can do to prevent the flu for no money at all are getting more sleep and staying hydrated,” Smith aid.
With 25 total negative Covid cases, Findlay campus has no Covid so far this year, according to Smith.
“I think the University is doing the best they can for how many students are sick,” Nauman said. “I think there should be ‘sick foods’ made readily available at all times for students – things like soup, fruit, extra hydrated food that has a lot of liquids in it.”
