“The common flu hospitalizes 200,000 people per year and kills 36,000 in the United States alone,” according to WebMD.
Hello autumn… ACHOO! And hello flu season!
Along with the turning of the seasons come the runny noses, sore throats, and cranky college students. While it’s extremely hard to avoid being around other people while attending college, there are many steps you can take to prevent getting and spreading the flu.
1. Keep your face – and drinks – to yourself.
While it’s become a very popular way of saying hello, a kiss on the cheek can be the flu’s truck stop right into your system. When people cough or sneeze, small particles and fluid droplets containing the virus are released and stay on the persons face, nose, and lips until washed off. Opt for a high five, a wave hello, or simply a smile before clouding up someone’s personal space.
We have always been told not to share food and drinks with others, but when it comes to your closest friends most of us don’t think twice about it. Once again, pay attention to the fact that you are now in direct contact with someone else’s saliva that might be carrying the flu – and if you haven’t gotten that seasonal shot you’ll be coughing up a storm right along with them.
2. Elbow or hands?
When we were children and sick our mothers constantly said, “cover your mouth!” as we sneezed and coughed, but doctors soon helped us realized that unless you ran to instantly wash those germy paws of yours, you were just insuring that the next toy you picked up or door handle you touched became contagious as well.
Instead, we are being told it’s smarter to cover your face with the crook or your elbow to help lower the chance of passing it along. Pace has sanitizing dispensers in the hallways of dormitories and classroom buildings and also in the public areas like Kessel and Mortola.
3. Wash your hands!
As gross as it may be to think about, many people, even at our age, still do not always wash their hands after using the bathroom… disgusting right? So why would they think it is plausible to wash their hands after sneezing, coughing, eating, etc? Simple, they don’t. It’s your job to wash your hands as often as possible to counteract all the doorknobs, stair rails, tables, papers, and chairs that everyone has touched.
4. Healthy habits will pay off.
Eating healthy keeps the immune system boosted and more able to fight off any infections that you might acquire. If you aren’t that big on eating your fruits and veggies, go for a daily vitamin to keep your body happy.
Try to stay as active as possible, as well. Every time you walk or run, you are boosting your body’s immunity. The minimum amount of movement needed each day to keep your body happy is 30 minutes of walking. Just remember the more you move the better off you will be.
Catching some sleep will definitely pay off, as well. The body does most of its healing and growing while you’re sleeping.
Finally, try to reduce the amount of stress that you are dealing with. Some stress is good, but know when to relax. Too much stress impairs the immune system.
5. Get the shot.
As much as it sucked when you were a kid, and as much as you might hate it still, that flu shot is going to protect you from weeks of stress on your body. Head to your family doctor, nearest pharmacy, or free clinic to take a prick in the arm and grab a lollipop for not crying. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.