Tomorrow marks the start of fall and time for students to start preparing for the cold and flu season.
Medical Director Kent Bullis said the most common illness this flu season is the regular run-of-the-mill head colds, but offers advice on avoiding any illness this flu season.
"The best thing that people can do to directly protect themselves is to frequently wash their hands and keep them away from their face," he said.
Other helpful ways to avoid illness are eating healthy and getting enough rest, he said.
This year's flu vaccine will be available at the Ball State Health Center and is expected to arrive near the end of September. While the price hasn't been decidedly set, it is expected to be around $20.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu shot as soon as possible in order to receive protection the entire flu season.
The vaccine takes 14 days to be considered fully effective. According to the CDC, about 67 million doses of this year's vaccine have been distributed nationally and it is expected 100 million more doses will be produced for this year's flu season.
This year's flu shot protects against three different flu viruses: H3N2, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus.
Bullis recommends the flu shot for everyone, but especially for those with a chronic illness or frequently around someone with a chronic illness.
Students have mixed feelings about the vaccination.
Some feel that, because the vaccination doesn't protect from all strains of the flu, it isn't very effective, while others plan on receiving the shot as soon as it's available.
Freshman art and psychology double major Diane Berg doesn't plan to get a flu shot, but is taking other precautions to avoid becoming ill this flu season.
"I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, washing my hands more and carrying hand sanitizer," she said.
Another illness to take precautions against is pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.
Already this year, 368 cases of whooping cough have been reported by the Indiana State Department of Health. That's close to the 396 cases reported in 2009.
In a recent press release, State Health Commissioner Gregory N. Larkin recommends adults get the Tdap or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine to protect themselves from whooping cough.
Besides advising ways to avoid illness, Bullis offered suggestions to keep from spreading illness to others.
When coughing or sneezing, it's important to sneeze into the upper arm. Avoiding others when ill is helpful in containing sickness.
"Think about staying home from school or work when you are sick to avoid passing illness around," Bullis said.
A good indication of illness is temperature, so Bullis advises purchasing a thermometer and staying home if there is a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
Freshman and elementary education major Erin Lezon isn't sure she'd stay home with just a cold.
She said, "I'd probably just go to class unless I'm really, really bad."
What to expect from a flu season is never certain, but healthy habits can only help students avoid becoming victim to the cold and flu season.
Cases of flu at Ball State
Fall: 613
Spring: 50
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