People who have not yet been vaccinated against the influenza virus should still get their flu shots if possible, doctors said.
Most people get their flu vaccination in the fall, before the virus emerges, to maximize the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The flu vaccine works better if taken in the fall because it takes about two weeks to build up the antibodies in a person's immune system, said Dr. Barbara Payson, who works at the College Health Service.
"If you have enough time to build up the antibodies before you are exposed, the vaccination is more likely to be effective," Payson said.
But Dr. John Modlin, a virologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center recommended that people get the vaccine rather than rely on drugs to relieve them of flu symptoms even this late in the season.
This year's influenza virus is particularly vicious, according to Modlin.
"There's lots of influenza in the area," Modlin said, "My impression is that there is clearly a larger outbreak than we've experienced in the past."
Payson said most of the people who come to Dick's House for flu vaccinations are employees of the College.
Payson said Dick's House administered about 500 vaccinations to Dartmouth employees, but only 200 to students. Flu vaccinations cost $3.50.
"We don't push the vaccination for healthy, young adults," Payson said. Young adults usually recover from the flu quickly, she added.
Payson only recommends the vaccine for College students in an effort to decrease the occurrence and the transmission of the flu on campus.
Flu shots are suggested for the very young, the elderly, people with diabetes or others with weakened immune systems, Payson said.
The average flu infection lasts three to five days, Modlin said. But he warned that a severe influenza infection can be extremely dangerous.
"The flu is the only communicable disease that increases the mortality rate when it's an epidemic," Modlin said.
Both Payson and Modlin said the vaccine has minimal side effects, primarily a little soreness in the arm for a few hours.
"Some patients will have a brief illness with a fever and body aches, but it only lasts a few hours," Modlin said.
The vaccine is made up of parts of the influenza virus that have been broken up and purified, Modlin said. The vaccine stimulates the body to make antibodies against the virus.
Protection against the virus requires a large quantity of antibodies, Modlin said.
The virus mutates each year, so a person must be vaccinated annually for optimal flu protection, he added.
"This year's flu will probably be considered a very severe year when all the data are counted, " Modlin said.
Amantadine and Rimadine are two prescription drugs available to help provide relief for people already infected with the flu virus, said Modlin.
