December through February are peak flu months, but the United States is facing what is considered to be a high-intensity contraction of influenza in this 2024-25 flu season, causing an estimated 19,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC has estimated up to 56 million reported cases and 910,000 flu hospitalizations since Oct. 1, 2024.
Dawne Page, retired professor emeritus of biology at Point Loma Nazarene University, said, “We haven’t had a high-severity flu season since 2017.”
This season’s hospitalization numbers are the highest recorded in the last eight years, according to Page.
Page received her doctoral degree in immunology from the University of San Francisco and has been in the field of immunology research since 1984. She said that she has a deep passion for the study.
Immunology is the study of the immune system and the ways it fights off foreign pathogens. The concept of immunology is a branch of biological studies that enables medical professionals to understand how to optimize the immune system functions to treat or prevent diseases.
Asher Lawson, a second-year applied health major, said that he has experienced more intense sicknesses since coming to college, which he believed could be because of a lack of nutritious food in his diet or the increased number of people he interacts with.
“I got sick like once freshman year and it was so bad,” he said. “I think it was because I wasn’t used to being surrounded by so many people, so I got sick a lot worse than normal.”
Despite the many outlets of advice on how to maintain healthy immune systems, Page acknowledged the struggles that students can experience when trying to stay healthy in college.
“It’s really hard in community living situations like the dorms,” Page said. “It’s tough for college students, but one of the best things for staying healthy is getting enough sleep and washing your hands.”
While washing hands may seem like a given, Page said that it is the small habits that make a big difference in stopping the spread of the flu. Students can implement these changes by utilizing things like PLNU’s hand sanitizer stations in the library, gym and cafeteria to kill germs.
Sarah Tischbern, a first-year psychology major, said that without a way to travel off campus, she had to find creative ways to utilize campus facilities to take care of herself.
“The little market we have on campus is great because I can grab a few immunity juices and juice shots,” she said. “It’s also nice having the mail room so close because my mom was able to order me supplies from Amazon and send a flu care package.”
Tishbern said that among these things, getting professional medical care at the Wellness Center was what helped speed up her recovery.
“It was really easy,” Tischbern said. “I just made an appointment, she diagnosed me with the flu that had turned into a sinus infection and my antibiotics were prescribed to me right there.”
PLNU’s Wellness Center is located on Nicholson Commons’ first floor and is a resource for students in need of medical attention who may not have access to off-campus care. It is open Monday through Friday and offers six immunizations, including the flu shot.
Students can schedule an appointment in person or online, as the Welcome Center does not allow walk-ins. If students would like to make an appointment, they can contact the front desk at (619) 849-2574 or sdwellnesscenter@pointloma.edu.
Tessa Balc