K-State's Lafene Health Center has seen unusual traffic with almost 2,000 students with flu symptoms and upper respiratory illnesses during the past three weeks.

"The flu has been in the Manhattan community for a couple of weeks now, and it has been found in the KSU student population," said Theresa Doyle, health educator in health promotion and nutrition counseling at Lafene. Doyle also said the number of students who have visited Lafene for flu symptoms is an estimate produced by Lafene's General Clinic.

Because of the influx of patients, those who had an urgent medical need that could not wait were seen first by a Triage nurse, then scheduled an appointment as needed, Doyle added.

Kansas is one of 11 states where influenza is widespread, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People are still being urged to get their flu shot, and there's plenty available, Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the CDC, told the Associated Press. So far, the majority of flu cases are being caused by strains that are a good match to the vaccine, which should provide some

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cross-protection against the new bug too. Every year, the flu infects up to 20 percent of the population, causes the hospitalization of 200,000 people, and kills 36,000.

Vivian Nutsch, infection control coordinator at Mercy Regional Health Center, said good hand hygiene is essential. She said disposing of tissues readily, avoiding large crowds and isolating those who are sick from others especially in the classroom are essential.

Students should seek medical care if they have fevers of 102 or higher, particularly if these have persisted despite rest, taking anti-fever medications and drinking a large amount of fluids, Nutsch added.

She stressed people should know the difference between having a cold and having influenza. Symptoms for influenza are a fever of 101 degrees or higher, dry cough, sore throat, ear aches, muscle aches, fatigue, headache, extreme tiredness and a runny and or stuffy nose.

She also noted a large number of influenza patients in the emergency rooms with a variety of viral symptoms similar to those seen at Lafene.

The large number of students on campus who are sick is apparent to many campus workers. Melanie Vilcot, coordinator for K-State's Cat's Den convenience stores, said students have been cleaning out the cold medicine section of the merchandise.

"It is definitely more than usual," she said.

New cold medicine came in earlier this week, and by Wednesday, the shelves were bare again, Vilcot said.

"Cough drops are flying off the shelves," she said.

Collegian staff writer, Sarah Burford contributed to this report.