Flu season at VCU: How students can stay healthy

Nick Caffacus, Contributing Writer

The flu season this winter brought more than just influenza to VCU students, according to reports from the Virginia Department of Health.

Many Richmonders are still suffering from a plethora of respiratory illnesses, many of which can share similar symptoms, according to the CDC.

“I think that can be really confusing for all of us, clinicians included,” said Nancy Bell, a nurse practitioner at VCU Student Health Services. “If you have a fever over 101 for more than 48 hours, then it’s something to say ‘hey, maybe I should get that checked.’”

During the week of Jan. 14, 4.6% of emergency department and urgent care visits were due to an influenza-like illness, or ILI, according to surveillance data from the Virginia Department of Health. This is down from 6.9% during the week of Dec. 17, 2023, per its earlier report.

An illness is considered an ILI when an individual exhibits a fever as well as a cough or sore throat, according to the CDC. This blanket term is used because influenza symptoms are not always specific, and patients often are not tested specifically for the flu.

In addition to the flu and COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is also going around, according to VDH data. The CDC warns that RSV is particularly dangerous for premature and very young infants, as well as older adults.

A shortage of Beyfortus, a new RSV vaccine for babies, is forcing the Children’s Hospital of Richmond to prioritize giving the vaccine to at-risk babies in the NICU with lung or heart conditions, according to the VDH.

Anyone can catch RSV and become contagious, even though some who catch it may only display mild, cold-like symptoms, according to the CDC.

Bell said there are a number of steps students can take to help avoid getting sick in the first place.

“I think one of the easiest things that’s kind of been drilled into us with COVID is proper hand hygiene,” Bell said. “So anytime I go home, the first thing I do is wash my hands.”

Most adults should get their flu shots, with rare exceptions for those with certain conditions of the heart, lungs or certain other illnesses, according to the CDC.

Bell said staying current on COVID-19 boosters as well as the yearly flu shot is a good idea.

“Every student at VCU has a free flu shot waiting for them,” Bell said. “With the COVID vaccine, we actually don’t have this most recent booster, so we encourage people to go to pharmacies.”

Bell said she also warns students not to undervalue maintaining proper nutrition and sleep habits.

“If you are feeling a little iffy, or if you’re around a lot of people who are sick, then I would say we want to prioritize making sure that we’re getting enough rest,” Bell said. “Also eating things like fruits, vegetables, healthy foods to give our body the resources it needs to hopefully fight those germs off.”

The CDC website currently states that Richmond is at a “medium” level for COVID-19 hospital admissions. For areas at this level, their recommendation is that those at an elevated risk of a more severe illness continue to wear masks.

Individuals with elevated risk include those 50 years and older, those who are immunocompromised or those who have certain underlying health conditions, such as chronic heart or lung disease that can amplify the severity of an infection, per CDC guidance.

Bell recommended students look into some of the resources available to them that Student Health “would give anyone that comes in for a lot of common illnesses.”

The Student Health Services website contains printable handouts for many health problems that include recommendations for over-the-counter and self-care treatments, according to Bell.

Brushing off serious symptoms as inconsequential is common for some, according to Bell. She encourages students to be proactive in getting checked to avoid serious illnesses such as strep throat or pneumonia, she said.

“If you’re a sick student, and you look online and it says we don’t have any openings, that’s because we’re saving a space for you when you call us,” Bell said. “The majority of the time we’re able to see you that same day.”

When dance and choreography major Frances Baker felt a fever coming on, she couldn’t participate in her dance class, she said.

“I went to Rite Aid and I talked to the pharmacist because that’s free, and then I got what he said to get,” said Baker. “And then I went home and slept. But then if it progressed I probably would have gone to the clinic.”

Niko Donaldson, a commerce major, said he has maintained the habit of mask-wearing since the outbreak of the pandemic.

“Since COVID had happened it was kind of really scary because when my dad gets sick, he gets really sick,” Donaldson said. “So I have a very strong fear of getting sick myself.”