By Drew Troutman, Editor, and Rhiannon Burns, Staff Writer
With the spring semester in full swing, catching the flu is the last thing a student needs. Many Bellarmine students have already gotten sick, so there’s no better time to learn about the flu.
Dr. Alice Kimble, known around campus as “Nurse Alice,” is the Office of Health Services director. Kimble stressed the importance of getting a flu shot as soon as possible.
“Kentucky is one of the nine states that has it worst,” Kimble said. “About 7 percent of people who get the flu die (of the flu). Usually they’re over the age of 65 or under the age of 5. That’s why you want everybody to get the shot.”
Along with receiving a flu shot, there are additional steps everyone can take every day to avoid contracting or spreading the flu.
“You’re contagious a day before you start symptoms, but you’re most contagious the first three or four days after you start feeling bad,” Kimble said. “Stay away from those people (who are sick), wash your hands, carry hand sanitizer and use it all the time.”
Kimble said the Office of Health Services staff use the F.A.C.T.S. acronym to determine whether a person has the flu. Fever, aches, chills, tiredness and a sudden onset are all warning signs of the flu.
Kate Lamb is one of many Bellarmine students who already has been struck by the flu in 2019.
“I was sick with the flu for all of the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and additionally missed the following Tuesday of class,” Lamb said. “In total, I was ill for three and a half days, which is an unusually fast recovery.”
Lamb offered some tips for students with the flu.
“Have it diagnosed as early as possible, get your flu shot now if you haven’t already and stay incredibly hydrated,” Lamb said. “Oftentimes, it’s tempting to attend class even when you are under the weather. However, there is nothing worse you could do for yourself or others.”
Students living in the dorms should take extra precautions when dealing with the flu. Leslie Maxie, Bellarmine’s director of Housing and Residence Life, discussed some practical ways students can prevent spreading the flu in the dorms.
“If you’re having flu-like symptoms, do not go to class,” Maxie said. “Self-isolate yourself in the halls and tell your RA (resident assistant) so they can come check on you.”
If a roommate has the flu, students should be sure to isolate their belongings. If a student is sick, he or she make sure to cover his or her mouth, dispose of used tissues and wash his or her hands.
“Make sure you are sanitizing both yourself and your area,” Maxie said.
Maxie said she believes that most Bellarmine students who live on campus will not be exposed to the flu outbreak. The residence staff is making sure it cleans the halls and bathrooms daily to prevent the spread of germs.
If a student is uncomfortable staying in the same space as another student who is sick, he or she can contact the hall staff to discuss relocating for a temporary time.
Students can see a nurse practitioner on campus and receive the flu test for free. If a student is unable to visit the Office of Health Services, Kimble’s No. 1 recommendation is to schedule a free Norton eCare visit.
“You have a little (video chat) with a nurse practitioner, and they can take care of a lot of things,” Kimble said. “If it’s 2 a.m. on a Saturday night, you don’t have to move and you don’t have to worry about (the Office of Health Services’) hours.”
Students can sign up for eCare visits through Norton’s eCare page. After creating a MyNortonChart account, students are required to show a student ID and a credit or debit card (although he or she won’t be charged).
The Office of Health Services is located in Room 121 of Newman Hall. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If a student is unable to visit the Office of Health Services and a virtual appointment won’t do the trick, he or she can visit one of the clinics near campus. Norton’s Patient First Immediate Care Center and The Little Clinic (inside Kroger) are both located in the Highlands (2450 Bardstown Road and 2440 Bardstown Road, respectively).