Shield yourself from the flu in confined areas

Dr. D

I miss your columns ….where have you been? Anyway, can you still answer me a question? I live in Brody Complex, and I am a bit freaked about all this swine flu talk. Some people in my hall are already walking around with masks on, hacking and sneezing. I would really like to know what is up. Should I be concerned?

Worried about Flu.

Dear WAF,

Hi-Ho Silver, away. So the ‘masked man’ is alive and well and rides into Brody Complex. If you had told me any other time that you had seen a masked man in Brody, I would have assumed you had been watching too many reruns of the 60’s classic “The Lone Ranger” on the Nostalgia Channel while smoking your hookah.

Seriously, let’s start with a little acronym education. Instead of talking about common flu, swine flu, H1N1 or even CP30, let’s just refer to it as ILI, or Influenza-Like Illness. This is the newest trendy acronym out there to refer to undiagnosed flu cases in general. As far as what is happening now on college campuses, I am not sure whether to call it an early flu season, beginnings of a pandemic, or maybe it is just that there are a lot of students who have a case of ILI right now. Either way, that is why you may have seen some people wearing masks in Brody Complex way before Halloween. Some are wearing it for protection and some are donning their own to protect themselves against whatever.

The traditional flu season usually starts showing signs and cases mid Oct., begins to trot at the end of Oct. and hits full ‘Hi-Ho Silver’ gallop in Nov.. It usually lasts through March. The length and intensity of any season is the unknown. I am not sure anyone can predict how long this is going to go and how many people are going to be infected. What I can tell you is how to take preventive steps to reduce your chances of coming down with an ILI.

Actually, everything you need to know about avoiding the flu or a cold could also be learned from watching another TV classic — “Star Trek.” I wrote about this a few years ago, but it bears repeating. There were several consistent messages in the show which seem to apply to cold and flu prevention: their prime directive was to learn and observe; they always worked on keeping their shields up. They never traveled without their phasers and Spock taught them that the best way to greet someone you come upon was to use the Vulcan hand shake.

Understanding and learning how germs are contracted is the key to prevention. When you are in closer contact with your fellow humans, it is easier for the germs to spread. That happens to be one of the reasons why cold and flu seem to be more prevalent on this campus. You have to understand that you have more people living in a closer proximity in Brody Complex than you had on all 24 decks of the original Starship Enterprise. A virus is spread mostly by large particles expelled at close range by coughs and sneezes. Contained areas are the worst, since sometimes you cannot get away easily.

The virus can also be spread by contaminated fingers, which pass the virus to the nose and eye. This happens because your fingers can easily become contaminated when shaking hands, touching door handles, phones, etc. in public places. If you then proceed to touch your nose or eye, you may infect yourself. Take a lesson from Spock, who would never shake hands when greeting people. Instead he would raise his hands, split his fingers and greet you by saying, “Live long and prosper.” That is why the Vulcans lived so long!

It is inevitable that you will come in contact with germs so the most important thing to remember is to WASH YOUR HANDS! Mild soap and water for at least as long as it would take to sing or hum the Star Trek theme song is desirable. You want to “phase” those pesky “Klingons” (I could not resist) and wash them right off your hands. You also can use sanitary wipes and antibacterial cleansers if soap and water are not available, but be careful that they do not dry and crack your hands. If you have not washed make sure to keep your hands away from your mouth, eyes or nose.

It is also best to keep your “shields at maximum strength” by getting plenty of rest, moderate exercise and remembering to feed yourself. The flu vaccine can be beneficial for those with weakened immune systems or those who come in contact with a lot of people. Stay tuned for availability of both seasonal flu vaccine and the HIN1 version from Olin Health Center.

To learn more about how to avoid colds and flu, make sure you stop by Olin Health Center or look in the residence halls in early Nov. for a free “Cold and Flu Survival Pack” sponsored by Olin and the Residence Halls Association. Until then, “Beam me up Scottie … we need to boldly go and wash our hands.” Hi-Ho Silver, away. Live long and prosper.

Dr. D