In addition to its commitment to helping students cope with a wide range of health issues, the Saint Martin’s University Student Health Center is dedicated to keeping students informed about health-related matters. The Student Health Center provides several resources with helpful information about common health concerns, vaccinations and questions.
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Key facts about influenza (flu) and flu vaccine
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness and, at times, can lead to death. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.
Signs and symptoms of flu
People who have the flu often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:
- Fever* or feeling feverish/chills
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue (very tired)
- Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
*It’s important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.
Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1976 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people.
Complications of flu
Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes.
Preventing seasonal flu: get vaccinated
The single best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu vaccine each season. Traditional flu vaccines that were made to protect against three different flu viruses (called “trivalent” vaccines) are available. In addition, this season, flu vaccines are made to protect against four different flu viruses (called “quadrivalent” vaccines), which are also available. The trivalent flu vaccine protects against two influenza A viruses and an influenza B virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not recommend one flu vaccine over the other. The important thing is to get a flu vaccine every year.
Yearly flu vaccination should begin soon after flu vaccine is available, and ideally by October. However, getting vaccinated even later can be protective, as long as flu viruses are circulating. While seasonal influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later. Since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body that protect against influenza virus infection, it is best that people get vaccinated so they are protected before influenza begins spreading in their community.
Everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine each year. This recommendation has been in place since February 24, 2010 when CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted for "universal" flu vaccination in the U.S. to expand protection against the flu to more people. While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it’s especially important that certain people get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications.
- Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old
- Adults 65 years of age and older
- Pregnant women
- American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of flu complications
Some people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician. They include:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
- People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
- Children younger than six months of age (influenza vaccine is not approved for use in this age group).
- People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.
- People with a history of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.
Community medical resources
For medical resources not provided by Saint Martin's University Student Health Center, please view the following list of resources.
- Note, the following information is not provided as recommendations or endorsements.
Medical/dental clinics
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour Crisis Line | N/A | 360-586-2800 |
| Concentra Urgent Care | 3928 Pacific Ave. SE Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-455-1350 |
| Indigo MultiCare Urgent Care | 5128 Yelm Hwy SE | 360-763-7040 |
Kaiser Permanente | 700 Lilly Rd NE Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-923-7000 |
| Providence St. Peter Hospital (Emergency Room) | 413 Lilly Road NE Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-493-7289 |
| Sea Mar Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health Clinic | 669 Woodland Square Loop SE | 360-359-4860 |
| Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services | N/A | 360-754-6300 |
| Westcare Clinic | 3000 Limited Lane, NW Olympia, WA Google Map | 360-357-9392 |
Pharmacies
| Name | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Fred Meyer Pharmacy | 700 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SE Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-438-6483 |
| Rite Aid Pharmacy | 691 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SE Olympia, WA Google Map | 360-491-4111 |
| Target (CVS) | 665 Sleater-Kinney Rd. SW Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-486-8927 |
| Walgreen Drug Store | 4540 Lacey Blvd. SE Lacey, WA Google Map | 360-438-2353 |