It's only the beginning of October, and people are getting sick. Illness is spreading across campus like a wildfire in California. This is just the beginning of the cold and flu season.
On average, the University Health Center sees around 300 to 400 students every week during fall and winter. Illnesses that students should be looking out for include upper respiratory viral illnesses, the flu, gastrointestinal illness and the cold. But a trip to the doctor's office is avoidable, so long as students take the necessary precautions.
There are several ways students can prevent illness.
"Usually, students touch a contaminated surface and then touch their ear, eyes or mouth," said Dr. Mary Lutz, a physician at the University Health Center. Lutz recommended washing hands multiple times a day, getting an adequate amount of sleep and eating a good diet. The Centers for Disease Control also recommends avoiding close contact with others who are sick, covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough, and avoiding sharing cups with other people.
For the students who are already battling a cold or another sickness, there are ways to take care.
"Students should get enough sleep, drink lots of fluids and take something like Tylenol for fever, chills, and body aches," said Lutz. "Some people say taking lots of zinc or vitamin C at the beginning of a sickness might help, too."
The Health Center also offers a flu shot, which will prevent certain strains, but the shot won't prevent the stomach flu. Flu symptoms include a high fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Don't hesitate to go to the health center. It's easier to prevent getting sick than it is to get over the cold or flu, and it could get worse if left untreated.
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