This flu season, students are contracting influenza at much higher rates than in previous years, according to Director of the Health and Counseling Center (HCC) Kaylin Soldat.
Positive flu test rates among HCC patients have reached 60% for the 2025-26 academic year, a 44% increase from last year’s figures, according to Associate Director of Primary Care Miko Hoy.
Soldat says that the exact number of influenza cases is difficult to measure, as students with the flu may refrain from seeking care or seek off-campus care. However, she says more flu cases were reported to the HCC in the last week than an entire flu season typically yields.
With an increasing number of positive cases on campus, she urges students with symptoms to stay home, rest and hydrate.
Typical flu symptoms seen at the HCC include high fever, body aches, headaches and cough. Students experiencing severe symptoms — persisting fever not responding to medication, shortness of breath or chest pain — or those at risk due to underlying health conditions should seek care, according to Soldat.
“If students are experiencing flu symptoms, the best thing to do is stay home until fever-free for 24 hours,” Soldat said. “Rest, stay hydrated, avoid being around others when possible and use over-the-counter medications to manage symptoms.”
The rise in on-campus positivity rates is consistent with statewide positivity rates, according to the Oregon Health Authority’s weekly influenza surveillance report, Flu Bites.
Flu Bites reports that positive cases of influenza this year in Oregon were recorded at 23% during the week of Jan. 18-25. Positivity rates last year were at 18.5% during the week of Jan. 19-26.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says college campuses are often hotspots for the spread of viral infections. Influenza-like illnesses spread rapidly among individuals in close-quarter settings such as college dorms and classrooms.
Brady McCracken is a news reporter for The Beacon. He can be reached at mccracke27@up.edu
