Helen Oke-Thomas, a nurse practitioner since 1997, has worked throughout Springfield: The Federal Medical Center for Prisoners in Springfield, Mercy Hospital, and Springfield-Greene County Health Department. Today, she works at the Panther Clinic on Drury University’s campus, next to Weiser Gym, where she is responsible for treating illnesses and providing general care for Drury students and staff.
In the past 18 years, she’s become familiar with the annual appearance of the flu. With its contagious and tiring symptoms, people will take measures to avoid the virus — including getting a flu shot.
But confusion about the flu shot has spread. With statements made about its ineffectiveness, several people have asked: Is the flu shot worth it? Helen Oke-Thomas sat down with The Scoop to answer some questions regarding flu shots and the disease, and how college students can stay happy and healthy.
What is the flu, and how does it differ from other serious illnesses?
It’s a contagious, respiratory illness that’s spread through coughing, touching. It’s also an airborne illness.
What is one of the biggest “hot spots” where you can be exposed to the flu?
For students, the classroom or residence halls are the biggest places. It’s because everyone stays there for hours at a time.
Last December, we heard a lot of misconceptions about the flu shot and its ineffectiveness. Can you talk a little more about that?
Yes, it’s true, I guess. It felt like the vaccine didn’t do very well covering the H3N2 strain. Although we still encourage people to get the vaccine because it protects you from other strains of the flu, it just didn’t do as good of a job as it did in years prior.
A common misconception of the flu shot is that, “Why bother getting the shot if I get the flu from the shot anyway?” Do you care to comment on that?
Sure. It’s [the shot] a killed virus. It is a strain of the flu, but because it’s a killed virus, it doesn’t give you the flu. The nasal flu vaccine, however, is an alive virus, but it’s very weakened, so it doesn’t have the ability to give anyone the flu.
Do you think the flu shot is effective?
I really do think it’s effective in preventing the flu. It’s hard to put a number on it [how many people got the shot and didn’t get the flu]. It doesn’t cover all of the strains of the flu. They try to do a good job on pinpointing the most common strains for the upcoming season.
What are a few things college students can do to prevent the flu?
Getting good rest is one thing. Having a well-balanced diet and six to eight hours of sleep per night helps. Washing your hands really well helps as well. If not, at least have hand sanitizer in your bag. You’re touching several surfaces all day, doorknobs, counters, and those are all of the places those viruses like to live. Taking a good multivitamin also helps. But above all, I highly recommend getting a flu shot.
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If you’re a Drury student or staff member feeling ill this season, call the Panther Clinic at (417) 873-6300 for an appointment. The clinic also administers flu shots for $25.
