Jackson College has partnered with Henry Ford Allegiance Health to offer Jackson College students and employees medical care evaluation and treatment from the clinic’s caring staff. A licensed nurse practitioner and technical staff will be in the office to see patients, make diagnosis and assessment, prescribe medications or make referrals. |
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HEALTH CLINIC Whiting Hall, Room 111
517.990.1374
www.jccmi.edu/health-clinic |
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HOURS - Winter 2020 Monday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
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Stomach Flu vs. Influenza |
People often confuse the stomach flu with influenza, but they are not the same. The medical term for the stomach flu is gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is a highly contagious intestinal infection that causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Gastroenteritis can be caused by either a virus, bacteria or parasites, but viral gastroenteritis accounts for almost 90 percent of cases (5 Minute Clinical Consult, 2019). Due to the fact that gastroenteritis is commonly referred to as the “flu,” it’s easy to confuse it with influenza. But the two illnesses are not the same. Influenza is a contagious disease as well, but unlike gastroenteritis affecting the GI tract, influenza affects the respiratory tract. Influenza is associated with cough, sore throat, fever chills and body aches (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). |
Gastroenteritis causes the stomach and the intestines to become inflamed and irritated. The most common form of gastroenteritis is caused by the norovirus, which causes 19 million cases per year (CDC, 2019). Gastroenteritis usually develops after contact with an infected person or consuming contaminated food or water (5 Minute Clinical Consult, 2019). |
Symptoms | • | Diarrhea (usually watery) | | • | Abdominal cramps | | • | Nausea | | • | Vomiting | | • | Low grade fever | | • | Muscle aches | | • | Mild headaches | Risk Factors | • | Young children: particularly those that attend day care centers | | • | Older adults: especially those that live in senior living centers | | • | Dorm students or anyone living in close quarters | | • | Anyone with weakened immune system: people receiving chemotherapy, those living with HIV/AIDS | | • | Travel | Prevention | • | WASH YOUR HANDS | | • | Avoid sharing personal items like eating utensils, drinking glasses and towels | | • | If possible, avoid contact with those who are sick | | • | Clean and disinfect hard surfaces in homes of those that are sick | | • | Get vaccinated: one of the common causes of viral gastroenteritis is from a virus called rotavirus. Rotavirus vaccine is available in the United States and it is recommended for children in their first year of life. | There is no treatment available for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is the key. The most serious complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration. Therefore, once vomiting has ceased, start drinking clear liquids at a start-low and go-slow rate, and then increase when fluids are not being lost. When tolerating fluids well, initiate a bland diet, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. If you are unable to stop vomiting and severe dehydration is taking place, visit your health care provider or hospital. The need for office visits/hospital visits are very rare and in most cases not needed, since viral gastroenteritis is usually self-limited. |
Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus. There are many different strains of influenza. It can cause mild to severe illness and sometimes may lead to death. Influenza is different from a common cold. The flu usually appears suddenly and symptoms include: | • | Fever | | • | Chills | | • | Cough | | • | Sore throat | | • | Runny nose | | • | Body aches | | • | Headache | | • | Fatigue | | • | Mild nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (this is not common and affects children more) | Certain factors increase your risk of developing influenza or its complications, including: | • | Age: Children younger than 12 months and adults 65 years old or older | | • | Living in close quarters: Dorms, nursing homes, military barracks, daycare centers | | • | Those with weakened immune systems: HIV patients, cancer patients | | • | Pregnant women | | • | Those with chronic illness, such as those with diabetes and heart disease | Prevention | • | WASH HANDS | | • | Avoid those who are sick | | • | Flu vaccine (Jackson College Health Clinic still has flu vaccines available for $20) | In most cases people will recover from an influenza illness with no difficulty or complication at all. Usually, you'll need nothing more than bed rest and plenty of fluids to treat the flu. However, complications of the flu can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections and sinus infections. |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019). Key facts about influenza (flu). Retrieved January 23, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2019). Norovirus. Retrieved January 23, 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html The Five-Minute Clinical Consult (2019). Viral gastroenteritis. Retrieved January 23, 2020 from https://5minuteconsult.com/ |
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