While fall brings out the best in Central New York, it also marks the height of cold and flu season. Break out those tissues, and get ready! Being prepared is often your best defense this season. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself and others. Here鈥檚 what you should know:
Get Your Flu Shot
Getting your flu vaccine is an essential layer of protection for yourself and others this flu season. And just like last year, it鈥檚 required for all of us.
The Barnes Center is offering flu clinics every weekday through Friday, Oct. 29. All you have to do is make an appointment! Here鈥檚 what to do:
- Log in to the .
- Select 鈥淎ppts鈥 on the main menu.
- Select 鈥淗ealth Clinic鈥 in the Clinic drop-down.
- Select 鈥淔lu Shot Clinic Appointment鈥 in the Reason drop-down.
- Select 鈥淏arnes Center 309 FluShots鈥 in the Provider drop-down.
- Hit submit.
- Choose your appointment day and time!
Be sure to check your email for a confirmation with details and needed forms. On the day of your appointment (this is important), bring your pharmacy benefit card and health insurance card!
To learn more about the requirement, medical or religious exemptions or getting your shot through another provider, refresh yourself on Dr. Nardella鈥檚 message, or visit the .
Know What To Do If You Have Symptoms
Because COVID-19 shares many symptoms with the flu virus, accurately diagnosing symptoms is very important.
Common flu symptoms include aches, chills, congestion, cough, fatigue, fever, headache and sore throat. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, stay in your room and call the Barnes Center health care team at 315.443.8000 as soon as you can. While you鈥檙e at it, don鈥檛 put others at risk by going to class or other campus facilities.
Side note: Please don鈥檛 go into the Barnes Center in-person to request an appointment. It is a risk to be in contact with others while sick, and there are no drop-in appointments (only scheduled appointments).
Practice Good Health Habits
We know; you鈥檝e heard it a million times. But you鈥檙e going to keep hearing it a million times! There鈥檚 some very easy and very effective habits to practice that help keep yourself and others healthy.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing (a mask can help with that).
- Hang out in small groups and outdoors when you can. If you鈥檙e indoors, open windows and use fans to circulate air.
- Avoid sharing food, drinks or smoking devices.
- Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask people how they are feeling and reschedule.
- If you are exhibiting COVID-like symptoms, stay home and call the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000.
Please just do it! And if you don鈥檛, in the words of 鈥淭hat鈥檚 So Raven,鈥 ya nasty! Let’s keep each other safe and healthy.
Stock your Medicine Cabinet
There are a few things you should always have in your personal first aid kit, like a thermometer and fever/pain relievers. Make sure you have them and that your thermometer doesn鈥檛 need another battery.
During cold and flu season, it鈥檚 a good idea to grab a few extra things, like:
- Cough drops
- Cough syrup
- Decongestants
- Fluids (sports drinks and other electrolyte drinks)
- Hand sanitizer
- Lip balm (Your chapped lips will thank us later.)
- Tissues
Swing by the to purchase all your basic cold and flu necessities! Or make a Virtual Pharmacy order through the to pick up after class.