Chills rip through your body.  Muscle pains immobilize you. You’re sweating and you can’t breathe. It sounds like a horror story, but it’s worse.

It’s the flu.

The Mayo Clinic website is more than happy to inform curious minds as to what the flu actually is.

“Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system—your nose, throat, and lungs,” wrote a staff member of the Mayo Clinic website.

A fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit is common with the flu. As is aching muscles, headaches, a dry cough, fatigue and weakness.

What’s the best defense against this disease? Getting shots. The annual influenza vaccination is currently the best way to prevent getting the flu.
Southwest Minnesota State University students can get their flu shots in the Health Center for $15.  That may seem like a bit much on a college student’s budget, but consider the alternative: bedridden for a week, miserable, and probably falling behind in your classes.

The vaccination is not always going to prevent the flu. Each year’s vaccine helps protect against from three of strains of the disease. These three strains are the ones expected to be the most common during that year’s flu season.

Since the vaccine isn’t perfect, it’s important to take measures to reduce the spread of infection. Always wash your hands, cover your cough, and shield your sneezes. With a little luck, this flu season won’t become your own personal horror story.