By Tristan King
Staff Writer
College students go out to party, take bites of friends’ lunches and share beverages. These things can potentially cause illness. There are some precautions students can take to avoid getting sick.
Dressing warmly is key. Layering is necessary. Proper attire includes hats, scarves, gloves, thermals and socks.
Frequent hand washing plays a major part in avoiding the flu. There is always that one person who, in the middle of a conversation, turns to the side and sneezes in his or her hand or in a tissue, folds it and stuffs the tissue back in his or her pocket.
Some students have been to the bathroom and seen fellow floormates use the facilities and walk out without washing their hands. Not washing one’s hand and touching a door handle or other things can lead to the spread of germs.
“After you go to the bathroom is an opportune time to wash your hands, but I think you need to wash your hands throughout the day or use hand sanitizer,” Dr.Becky Seefeldt, nurse practitioner of St. Bonaventure’s Center for Student Wellness, said.
The flu shot is something doctors and nurses advise their patients get. Not only is it a recommendation, but it may potentially help save the life of the patient.
“Everyone should get a flu shot unless you’re allergic,” Seefeldt said. “Each year they try to predict which strains will cause the most illness or severity of illness. This year, there seemed to be a good match and more and more people came down with influenza; however, I still recommended people get their flu shot.”
When people cough, they cough into their hands. If one does not have hand sanitizer readily available, he or she should use the “cough into your elbow technique.” Sharing drinks and touching your face is something you shouldn’t do if you haven’t washed your hands. “Water falling” does not prevent you from catching germs from someone.
Having the flu can be serious. It is encouraged to bundle up to stay warm in freezing temperatures.
“The symptoms are body aches, fever, chills, and respiratory difficulty and sometimes, vomiting and diarrhea. One needs to rest, take ibuprofen or Tylenol and drink lots of fluid,” said Seefeldt. “If you have a chronic illness such as diabetes or asthma or other chronic illnesses then you need to get treated for the flu, which is anti-viral therapy, and that treatment has to start within two days.”
kingth12@bonaventure.edu
