Right around this week was when I planned to get my flu shot last year. “Planned” is the key word here. Like every other college student, I got busy. Project this and homework that, friends yesterday, meeting tomorrow. To put it simply, I forgot. I mean it’s just a shot that might not even help me with a sickness that I probably won’t get to begin with, right? Wrong.
Later on in February, my throat felt a little scratchy for a day or two. I didn’t think much of it because between cheering at the basketball games and breathing in all the winter air outside, of course it might feel a little less than fine. But soon it wasn’t just a little bit, and it wasn’t just my throat. I was shivering while studying in my dorm with the heat on, wearing sweatpants, a sweatshirt, my North Face fleece jacket, Ugg boots, a scarf, gloves and a ski hat. If that doesn’t say “fever” then I’m not sure what does.
No longer able to come up with excuses to blame the weather for why it felt like Antarctica in my 74-degree dorm room, I thought I better go to Student Health. There was only one problem.
So yes, this is kind of embarrassing because I’m 19 years old, but I had never been to the doctor’s office without my mom or dad. (But I’m not too embarrassed about it because, admit it, Wolfpack, I’m not the only one.) I never had to fill out all those papers with those medical terms: family history, medications, 102 yes-or-no circles—all with the same answer of “I don’t know.” Except that’s never an option. It’s hard to remember that condition you had when you were 3 years old and that 18-syllable name for the medicine you picked up from CVS four years ago. Like… can I phone a friend? But really, please?
Panicking aside, I had the flu. Suddenly, I remembered I still needed to get my flu shot. Well, too late for that now. Thanks, memory.
The good news is that NC State’s Student Health Center couldn’t be more accessible. I was easily able to make an appointment online for later that day, and when I was still sick a few days later, walk-in hours allowed me to wait no longer than 10 minutes before I got the medical attention I needed.
Fortunately, I didn’t have a reason before this incident to realize all the benefits Student Health has to offer. I never even walked into the building prior to getting the flu. Conveniently equipped with labs, a pharmacy and friendly doctors and nurses who help you answer all those confusing questions, it’s nice to know how many people here are willing to take care of you when your family isn’t on campus.
Take advantage of these benefits this month and sign up for a flu shot. (Maybe vaccines aren’t your thing, and that’s fine, but at least eat some oranges with Vitamin C and wash your hands.) I’d say my name was already first on the list, but I didn’t hesitate to get mine back in August before coming back to NC State. No way was I going to take my chances again this year.
Anyway, the fact that you probably won’t get the flu this season doesn’t mean you’re “too cool for the flu.” Don’t be the roommate who asks for slushies from Talley Student Union all week because even the coldest thing won’t relieve your throat. Don’t be the classmate who gets your half of the lecture row sick too. (Been there, done that. Sorry guys.) Take it from me: If you have the chance to get a flu shot, think twice before deciding to forget about it. After all, there’s nothing fun about the flu.