November is synonymous with many things including Thanksgiving, changing leaves and cooler temperatures.

Unfortunately, it is also synonymous with influenza — otherwise known as the flu.

On campus, the flu rears its ugly head each year as early as November, with cases occurring as late as April, according to Mary Bengtson, medical director and physician at the Student Health Center.

The flu is caused by a virus usually caught through direct contact with respiratory droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person.

According to Health Services, it is recommended that people receive the flu shot during the fall since it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to reach maximum protection.

“Students have a number of opportunities [to get the flu shot on campus],” Bengtson said. “Now is the time to get [the vaccination] and get protected. You want to be protected two weeks before flu hits.”

She indicated the vaccination decreases the chances of contracting the flu and people with medical illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease or diseases in the lungs or immune system are especially encouraged to get the shot.

Bengston encouraged students who can’t afford to miss class to get the shot.

“Any person who can’t afford to stop their daily routine because of an illness needs to consider the shot,” Bengtson said. “When you have the flu, its a couple days or more of feeling really tired — even after the fever is over, the student’s energy is just not there. So if a person can’t afford to miss class, we really encourage getting the shot — it’s much better than taking your chances and coming down with [the flu] and missing class.”

Not only can flu outbreaks be responsible for people missing work or school, but they are also responsible for an average of approximately 36,000 deaths per year nationwide, according to Bengston.

Through the University Benefits Services of Human Resources, vaccines are also available on campus for employees and their families.

The University Benefits Office is responsible for managing and administering employee benefit programs, such as health insurance and retirement.

“So far with the sign-ups, as far as the number of shots, several thousand employees have signed up for it,” Joe Williams, assistant director of the University Benefits Office, said. “We are right on target so far.”

Clinics for employees are not offered at the same times as clinics for students because, according to Yvette Griffin, director of the University Benefits Office, that makes it less convenient for faculty, staff and students.

“We have separate clinics for students and faculty and staff because when we did it a few years ago together, it created longer waits for everyone,” she said. “So we now do them separately to make them a little more convenient for faculty and staff.”

The clinics for vaccines for employees are located at the McKimmon Center, Talley Student Center Ballroom, Centennial Campus and the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Green Commons Area.

According to Griffin, 900 employees registered for the first vaccination clinic on Oct. 23 held at the McKimmon Center.

Students or employees, unless insured by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, must pay for the shot depending on which health service is providing the vaccinations.

Maxim, Intravene and Student Health are vendors offering the vaccine on campus this year.

Like past years on campus, these vendors charge for the vaccination. Maxim, with the exception of BCBSNC members, offers the vaccine for a charge of $25.

Intravene also offers the vaccine for $25, while Student Health Services offers it for $20 by appointment.

Bengtson said there are currently no shortages of the vaccine — contrary to years past.

“So far there has not been a shortage. I don’t know if there will be a shortage later, but right now we aren’t anticipating any shortages. In past years, there have been shortages where it was hard,” she said. “So far what we have advertised is what we think is going to happen, but we still encourage people in the event that there is a shortage later, to be proactive and get the vaccine. Right now we have plenty of vaccines in the building.”

Bengtson said she encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible

“If you’re exposed to influenza, the virus can live for some period of time on objects,” Bengtson said. “You can spread it in an average of two days and people who come down with the flu typically are infectious the day before symptoms begin, which could actually make people sick. You’re contagious or infectious from the day before symptoms began.”

Dale Pennington, a sophomore in political science and history, said she plans to get the vaccination so she doesn’t contract the flu and miss too much school.

“It’s worth getting the flu shot because if you get the flu, you miss a lot of classes and that’s a lot of work to make up with a lot of extra stress,” she said. “It’s easier to just go ahead and get the shot.”

Flu shots are available for students throughout November in the Student Health Center by individual appointment or in the Talley Student Center Ballroom.