Why get a flu shot?
The flu can spread quickly on a college campus. If you get sick with the flu, you can miss several days of classes, work, and social events. The best way to prevent, shorten, or reduce the severity of the flu is to get a flu shot.
Where can I get a flu shot?
- CSU students can make an appointment to receive their flu shot on campus at CSU Health Network. Call (970) 491-7121 for an appointment. We cannot accommodate walk-ins at this time, but same-day appointments are typically available.
- Flu shots also are readily available throughout the community at local pharmacies, grocery stores, and doctors’ offices.
- Are you a CSU employee? Visit CSU HR website for more information about on-campus vaccine clinics for faculty and staff.
How much does a flu shot cost?
- Flu shots at the CSU Health Network are covered at 100% for most benefit plans including SHIP. Check your benefit plan details or call the number on your member ID card to be sure you’re covered at the flu shot location you choose. Remember to bring your member ID card when receiving services at the CSU Health Network.
- Benefits can vary, depending on your health insurance plan. It’s always a good idea to check with your health insurance carrier in advance to make sure your plan will cover a flu shot at a specific location.
- If you are covered by Medicaid or Kaiser Permanente health insurance, they will not pay for you to get a flu shot at CSU Health Network. Contact your insurance company to find nearby locations where you can get a flu shot at no cost.
Cold, Flu, COVID-19, or Wildfire Smoke?
Because some of the symptoms of cold, flu, COVID-19, and wildfire smoke are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Cold, flu, COVID-19, and wildfire smoke share many characteristics, but there are some key differences.
Be sure to report all flu-like and respiratory symptoms to CSU Public Health through the COVID-19 Reporter.
Common Cold
Key Symptoms:
- Runny and congested nose
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Generally feeling unwell
A mild cough due to postnasal drip and sneezing can occur.
More serious symptoms, such as fever and shortness of breath, are not typical symptoms of the common cold.
How can I be sure I have a cold?
A cold is usually diagnosed simply by assessing symptoms and without testing. Over-the-counter cold medications often can help with symptom control. The common cold will usually resolve within approximately one week of onset of symptoms.
Flu
Key Symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Exhaustion
Flu classically comes on suddenly, as opposed to the more gradual onset of the common cold.
More mild symptoms can also occur, similar to the common cold, such as a runny nose, sore throat, and headache. Vomiting and diarrhea are uncommon in adults.
How can I be sure I have the flu?
Flu is diagnosed based on a swab test performed by a healthcare provider. Prescription medications can limit the duration of influenza symptoms, but need to be started promptly after diagnosis. The duration of symptoms is approximately one week, with symptom improvement occurring around five days.
The flu vaccine is an important part of prevention.
COVID-19
Key Symptoms:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
People with COVID-19 have a wide range of symptoms reported- ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Wildfire Smoke
Key Symptoms:
- Stinging eyes
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or congestion
- Wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Fatigue
While many symptoms of wildfire smoke and air pollution are similar to cold, flu, and/or COVID-19, a key differentiating factor is that symptoms worsen when outside but resolve quickly inside.
Before You’re Sick: Prevention and Care
- Get vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly influenza shot for everyone six months of age and older. CSU students can make an appointment to get a flu shot at CSU Health Network by calling 970-491-7121. Flu shots are also available at most local doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and grocery stores.
- Practice good hand hygiene.
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water, rubbing your hands together for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective, unless hands are visibly soiled or grossly contaminated.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Germs can easily spread this way.
- Perform routine cleaning.
Disinfect items and surfaces likely to have frequent hand contact like door knobs, phones, keyboards, counters, desks, remote controls and refrigerator handles.
- Engage in immune boosting strategies:
- Get quality sleep – Set a schedule and supportive routine for sleep. 7 to 8 hours of sleep is optimal.
- Reduce stress and develop good coping mechanisms.
- Engage in physical activity.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Quit smoking/vaping. Support is available.
- Drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.
- Know the signs and symptoms of the flu.
In general, the flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, headache, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense. A significant number of people who have been infected with the influenza virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Special tests to tell if a person has the flu and medication to lessen symptoms must be done within the first few days of illness. (The flu vaccine is still the best way to prevent influenza.)
Colds are usually milder than the flu, and people with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, often accompanied by sneezing. Sore throats can be common. Colds generally do not lead to more serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations, but the flu can.
For more information:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
http://www.cdc.gov/getsmart/antibiotic-use/URI/colds.html
Seek medical attention for the flu if you have:
- Chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, neurological disorders, morbid obesity, an autoimmune diseases or are pregnant
- Fever of 101.0 F for more than 3 days
- Wheezing
- Abdominal discomfort
- Drainage from the eyes
- Pain in your ears
- Worsening symptoms after 5-7 days
Seek EMERGENCY medical attention if you have:
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Difficulty breathing other than nasal congestion
- Severe abdominal pain
- Dizziness or confusion
- Severe headache
- Inability to keep liquids down
Health Resources
- Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Body Image and Eating Disorders
- Financial Management
- Hazing
- Cannabis
- Mental and Emotional Health
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Prescription Drugs
- Sexual Health Resources
- Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention
- Sleep
- Stress Management
- Suicide Prevention
- Sun Safety
- Tobacco
- Understanding Grief
