Unfortunately, I was that student, and while in Rhode Island over the holidays, I was stuck in bed for four days, getting up only to go to the hospital and then fly home. After crying because I was so cold, I finally convinced my friends to take me to the hospital. But by the time I got to the hospital, I had been experiencing symptoms for two days. I have never in my life been so miserable. After what started out as a minor sore throat and then progressed to a cough and finally the full-blown flu, I have decided that from now on I will always get a flu shot.
Flu is short for influenza.
The flu virus affects the respiratory system and is spread via secretions from an infected person like coughing and sneezing. May. The worst part of the flu season occurs between November and March, most likely because people are in closer contact during cold weather. Now that the flu season is in full swing, people need to be aware of the symptoms of this serious, and potentially fatal, virus. Symptoms include a fever between 100-103 degrees, coughing, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, nasal congestion and red eyes. Berry students experiencing these symptoms should go to the Ladd Center for treatment.