Jadyn Cash, Special to The Denisonian–

As the flu runs rampant throughout campus, the Hoaglin Wellness Center is informing students how to stay healthy during this sickly season.

On Jan. 28, Michelle Barcelona, director of medical services at Hoaglin, sent the first email announcing that Denison was experiencing an influenza outbreak. 25 cases had already been reported a week after break had ended and the spring semester had begun.

The total number of confirmed cases reached 89 by the end of January. So far in February, an estimated 65 cases have been reported.

Influenza is a viral and contagious respiratory illness that can spread through the air as well as from person to person.

Some symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, painful cough, nasal congestion, and generalized body aches. Barcelona emphasizes that “persons with the flu typically have an abrupt (rapid) onset [of symptoms] within a few hours.”

Likewise, Barcelona reminds students that “most college campuses, including Denison, are at increased risk for the transmission of influenza due to shared spaces… as well as a lot of social activities.”

Students continuously share residential spaces, bathrooms, and classrooms, which have increasingly become hotspots for spreading the virus.

Despite the flu’s contagious nature and students’ awareness of its spread across campus, they continue to attend athletic events, sorority and fraternity activities, parties, extracurricular activities, and exercise classes.

Denison’s recruitment for Greek life recently ended on campus but occurred simultaneously with the height of the outbreak. When asked about who was affected by the sickness during the rush season, junior Delta Gamma sorority member Gaby Barber said, “Everyone in my sorority. It spread like wildfire during recruitment.”

Barber was affected by the virus herself, but she did not realize Hoaglin provided testing for her symptoms, which included nausea, loss of appetite, hot and cold flashes, and congestion. 

She was additionally unaware of the flu-related information that was sent out by Hoaglin to assist in her week-long battle with the sickness.

When students begin feeling sick, the Hoaglin Wellness Center recommends calling the facility and scheduling an appointment. Students will then be tested for various illnesses related to their symptoms, including influenza A/B, COVID-19, strep throat, and/or mononucleosis.

Barcelona acknowledges the constant influx of flu cases and informs students that “appointment demand may exceed availability” and if this is the case, “students will undergo a phone triage visit with a nurse.”

If students have been infected by the flu, Barcelona advocates for coughing or sneezing into elbows and avoiding public spaces if their fever exceeds 100.4 degrees fahrenheit. Wearing a mask in public spaces is also a crucial step in decreasing the spread of illness.

“I quarantined in my room,” Barber stated. “I didn’t go to classes for four days.”

Students should not attend any classes or extracurricular activities until their fever has dissipated for at least 24 hours. To-go meals are available at both dining halls on campus or at most restaurants in Granville.

Barcelona notes that there has been a decrease in the number of cases this month but suggests non-infected students continue to practice good hand hygiene, drink plenty of water, eat well-balanced meals, get eight hours of sleep every night, and consider wearing a mask to protect themselves from the virus. 

“These measures help support your immune system,” Barcelona said.

Hoaglin will also assist students by providing flu vaccinations on-site if they have not already done so.

Complications like pneumonia can occur if the flu is not treated properly. Students who are considered to be high-risk should seek medical care as soon as they suspect any symptoms related to the virus.

Contact the Hoaglin Wellness Center at 740-587-6200 to book an appointment if any of the above symptoms could be applicable to the flu.