Winter is coming, and with it, the flu. In a populated, close-knit college, sickness is inevitable. But, that doesn’t mean you have to be quarantined. There are ways to prevent catching illness and even more ways to cope with it until you’re healthy again.
The number one way to prevent catching the flu is to get a flu shot. Iflscience.com writes, “Flu vaccination prevents millions of flu-related illnesses and deaths annually, but vaccination rates are low for many reasons.”
Many believe that the flu vaccine will make them sick, but this has been debunked many times. The CDC writes, “Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.” During these two weeks, you are able to catch the flu. Many mistake catching the flu during this period as the vaccine giving them the illness. This being said, there are many places to get your flu shot. The Wellness Center offers free flu shots, as does Walmart Pharmacy. The sooner you get the vaccine, the sooner you’re immune!
Another way to prevent catching the seasonal bug is to keep as clean as possible. Wipe down commonly touched surfaces such as door handles, desks, light switches, remotes and cell-phones with disinfectant wipes. Lysol is recommended because it’s proven to kill the flu virus. You also should carry hand-sanitizer. This way, when you touch a surface that may have the virus, you can kill it before it enters your body.
The virus is typically spread through body fluids, including saliva. This being said, cover your face with your elbow when you sneeze or cough! This has been taught to many since elementary school and is still highly important. By covering your face, you’re preventing the spread of bacteria that will get your classmates sick. If everyone can do this simple task, we can slow the spread of contagious illnesses.
What if you’re already sick? You’re not alone. There are many ways to make the flu more bearable, using things you might already have.
Honey is a fantastic, natural medicine. A spoonful of honey can ease a sore throat almost instantly, as well as calm a cough. It’s recommended that you use natural or raw honey, as it doesn’t have artificial sugars that can potentially help the virus reproduce. Mixing honey with tea is another natural remedy for a sore throat.
Green tea is great when sick. Not only does it help with sore throats, it also carries antioxidants that boost your cells while fighting the virus. It’s light on the stomach, and it is good for nausea. A great tip for congestion is to inhale the steam from your tea, as the water vapor thins mucus in the sinuses, as well as opens the sinuses themselves.
Sleep is incredibly important for fighting the flu. Sleep allows your body the chance to revitalize and focus its fight on the flu. Restonic.com writes, “When you feel flush and hot, that’s a sign your body is hard at work, engaged in a battle against the flu virus. Fevers tend to rise at night when you’re sleeping (and coincidentally, when your body is in full-repair mode). If you’re up late watching Jimmy Kimmel, reading or out at a nightclub and not sleeping, your body isn’t in prime fighting condition.”
In closing, the flu is preventable if you use the right tactics. The same can be said for flu recovery. If you’re feeling ill, make a stop by the Wellness Center.
By a Bonnie
