Sep 10, 2009 11:21 pm US/Eastern
Experts: Get Your Flu Shot Now
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) ―
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Experts are urging people across the country to get flu shots now as flu season appears to be arriving early.
CBS
Experts are urging people across the country to get flu shots now as flu season appears to be arriving early.
Kelly McPherson explains the flu is already running rampant across one college campus.
It's just as experts expected. Students got in the dorm rooms and the virus began to spread on the College Park campus.
"I've been using a lot of antibacterial soap and washing my hands a lot, drinking a lot of orange juice," said senior Laniece Stevens.
University of Maryland students like sophomore Julie Brontman have flooded the health center.
"They said that they can't confirm [swine flu] because they don't do that test at the health center here, but they said it's too early for the regular flu, and these are flu-like symptoms," said Brontman.
As of Tuesday, the health center had more than 200 students with flu-like symptoms.
Students say a lot of their friends who are sick just stay home. As the H1N1 vaccine is still being formulated, health officials recommend people get the regular flu shot.
"If they have a fever over 100, sore throat, cough, they really should stay home and stay home until the fever is gone for 24 hours without the use of medication," said Olivia Farrow, Balt. City Health Department.
Officials at the University of Maryland say class attendance hasn't been affected much and faculty is trying to be flexible.
While the strain is spreading quickly, those who have had it say it's not nearly as bad as the regular flu, and it lasts just a few days.
Seasonal flu kills about 36,000 people a year. The swine flu vaccine is being tested at the University of Maryland in downtown Baltimore.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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