The time comes once again to dust off soup cans and tissue boxes as cold and flu season returns for the winter months. Most students do not associate basic hygiene with flu prevention. When people do not wash their hands they allow viruses to spread as germs infest the surfaces of door handles and counter tops.
The symptoms of runny noses, sneezing, drowsiness or sore throats remain as early indicators of a cold. Ellie Mullins, ?09, affected by the sudden outburst of sickness, expresses her frustration when being absent due to illness.
?I don?t like being sick and missing school,? Mullins said. ?I get behind with my schoolwork and it?s hard to catch up.?
While cold and flu viruses often display similar characteristics, flu symptoms prove far more severe. Signs such as chills, fever, chest discomfort and headaches occur while experiencing the flu versus a common cold.
Registered Nurse (RN) Paula Wilson reveals the body?s inner struggle to fight bacteria.
?Basically, when you?re sick, it?s a germ going into your body,” Wilson said, “and your body?s immune system has to try and identify what the germ is, and determine the best way for it to be fought off.?
In order to avoid illnesses, a visit to a hospital or doctor?s office for a flu vaccination could prevent the undesirable. The vaccine comes in two forms, nasal spray or injection.
Over the counter alternatives such as Dayquil, Nyquil and Robutussin, are often chosen based on lower price and convenience to lessen the flu’s symptoms. Professionals advise prescribed medication because the store-bought drugs mask the symptoms and slow down the immune system.
?Natural ways to keep from getting sick are: staying in shape, getting plenty of rest and taking vitamins for extra help,? Wilson said. ?This will keep your immune system running at top notch.?
Students who take this advice sometimes discover different ways to stay healthy, such as drinking Jamba Juice.
?To keep myself healthy, I don?t use the restrooms at school and I wash my hands with hot water frequently,? Katie Biggs, a junior at San Luis Obispo High School, said. ?I always have hand sanitizer with me, just in case.?
Unfortunately, some fail to avoid other illnesses during the winter. Matt Nickel, ?08, recalls last year when he missed a month of school due to pneumonia.
?At the end of the first semester of last year, I fell ill with pneumonia,? Nickel said. ?I consequently missed one straight month of school. The rest of the year was miserable, as I was trying to make up for a month?s worth of school on top of current work. Thankfully, everything worked out fine, even though it took me nearly to the end of the year to catch up.?
People often become more cautious when touching door handles and shaking hands for fear of sickness. While caution may prevent illness, it never ensures immunity from the common cold or flu.
