By Natalie Vaughan
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

Influenza is a serious disease characterized by an abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, headache, muscle ache and cough. For more serious cases, influenza may lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.

Thousands of people die each year from influenza related illnesses according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To provide protection from influenza, UH-Clear Lake is offering flu shots to students, staff and faculty for $15. Cash and checks are accepted.

Shots are available by appointment or walk-in Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.-noon.

Students not registered with the health center must provide current student ID to be eligible.

The university started Oct.14 with 350 shots and has 102 shots remaining.

"The peak flu season is December through March, so we actively immunize during October and November," said Susan Leitner Prihoda, director of Health and Disability Services.

The flu vaccine kills influenza viruses selected by the U.S. Public Health Service. It builds antibodies against the most prevalent strains of flu virus. The vaccine protects recipients after two weeks and the protection works in the body for 6-12 months. It is a killed virus vaccine, so it will not cause the flu.

"I especially recommend high-risk individuals, such as those with asthma, diabetes, or other chronic conditions, to be immunized to protect themselves from catching influenza," said Gina Garcia, registered nurse.

Anyone who has a serious, long-term health problem with heart disease, anemia, a metabolic disease, asthma, lung disease or kidney disease is at a higher risk of catching a serious case of influenza. People who are unable to fight infections because of a disease present at birth, infection with HIV and those exposed to various forms of cancer treatment with x-rays or drugs are also at a higher risk.

Before receiving a flu shot, tell your doctor or nurse if you have a moderate or severe illness, are pregnant or think you might be pregnant, were ever paralyzed by Guillain-Barre Syndrome, have ever had an allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine or an anaphylactic reaction to eggs or egg products. The vaccine would have the same affect on an allergic individual as eating an egg.

Contact Susan Leitner Prihoda in the health center at (281) 283-2626 with any questions concerning the vaccine.

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