The UO Health Center held its Faculty and Staff Flu Clinic last fall, but the vaccine remains available, as the current wave of influenza remains dangerously active – Oregon hospitals have reported at least seven flu deaths in recent weeks.

Faculty, staff and students may drop in for flu shots at the Health Center's Nurse Specialty Clinic, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., or 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Faculty and staff need to bring both their Providence insurance cards and their UO ID cards; their insurance will be billed, so there is no out-of-pocket expense. Students will be charged $15, which can be billed to their UO accounts.

An average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu each year and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.

Flu prevention tips

Tried and true methods to prevent the flu and other illness include:

•     Get your flu shot
•     Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands
•     Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
•     Wash hands with soap and water often and thoroughly
•     Get ample rest
•     Eat well, don’t skip meals

If you get the flu

If you get the flu, stay home and take care of yourself until symptoms go away. Influenza is generally an upper respiratory illness. The most common symptoms with sudden onset include:

•     Fever or feeling feverish or chills;
•     Cough;
•     Sore throat;
•     Runny or stuffy nose;
•     Muscle or body aches;
•     Headaches;
•     Fatigue (tiredness);
•     Rarely vomiting or diarrhea for adults (but may be present with children). 

If there is any question about symptoms, severity or need to seek attention, consult medical professional. Students may call the University Health Center’s Appointment or after-hour Nurse Advice Line at 541-346-2770.

- from the University Health Center