Autumn isn’t the only season that  the community is easing into; flu season is also just around the corner. 

Flu season starts as early as October, peaks in January or February and can last until May.

Camille Barmore, a senior computer science major, had the flu last winter. 

“It was the worst experience of my entire life,” said Barmore. 

Barmore said that everyone should get the flu shot. 

“I couldn’t get off of my couch for a whole week,” she said. 

Although Barmore was miserable throughout her flu experience, she is thankful that she was ill through the winter break instead of during school.

The flu is spread through the eyes, mouth, or nose coming in contact with the virus. 

The flu usually lasts from one to two weeks and has many symptoms.  

The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot. 

Getting the flu shot decreases your risk of needing medical attention for the flu by 60 percent. 

The ULM Health Center, free to ULM students, has flu shots available now. 

These shots are free for Vantage Health Plan members, and other major insurances are accepted.

The ULM Health Center will be giving flu shots until they run out, which will most likely not be until next year. 

The ULM Health Center is open from eight a.m. to five p.m. Monday through Friday.

Sheldon Nixon, a sophomore aviation major, did not know that flu shots were available at the ULM Health Center. 

He now plans to receive a vaccination. 

“If everyone got one, that would help a lot too,” Nixon said.

According to the CDC, two types of immunization exist.

Active immunization results when exposure to a disease organism triggers the immune system to produce antibodies to that disease.

Passive immunization is provided when a person is given antibodies to a disease rather than producing them through his or her own immune system.

Both forms of immunization protect those who can not afford immunization.