What to Do if You Get Sick on Campus

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 13 million cases of the influenza (flu) virus reported for the 2019-2020 season. In addition, the flu is spreading faster than normal in the state of Virginia. In fact, the Virginia Department of Health says the flu has been widespread in Virginia since November of 2019.

Unfortunately, Bluefield is not immune. So as a Bluefield College student what do you do or where do you go if you get the flu?

“If a student…gets sick, they can come to the training room,” said Josh Shroyer, an athletic trainer at Bluefield College. Arnold said that BC trainers are always willing to help out anyone that comes to them with an illness or injury.

Another alternative for students is MedExpress, a walk-in urgent care center in the Walmart plaza on College Avenue. MedExpress does not require an appointment, and they offer a variety of health services.

Other nearby options for students include Bluefield Family Medicine on Huffard Drive in Bluefield, VA; Westwood Family Medicine in the Westwood Medical Park in Bluefield, VA; and Bluefield Regional Medical Center on Cherry Street in Bluefield, WV.

And how do you know if you have the flu? According to the CDC, some key symptoms to look for include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle or body aches
• fatigue
• headaches

How do you prevent the flu? The best prevention is to get the flu vaccine, and it’s not too late to get a flu shot. Other prevention tips are to make sure you wash your hands frequently, disinfect your living space, and avoid touching your eyes, face, and mouth.

If you are diagnosed with the flu, email your professors to let them know. On campus students should also notify your residence hall director. In addition, make sure you stay away from other individuals and don’t go to class until you are no longer contagious. Plus, be sure to take your medication as prescribed.