Battling Flu Season
Every year when fall comes around, so does the flu season. Your classes may be disrupted by continuous sneezing, coughing, or sniffling, and tissue boxes suddenly become a must-have accessory. While we can’t do much to cure the common cold, we can all make a conscious effort to prevent it from spreading. Here are some ways to keep yourself happy and healthy all throughout the fall and winter.
1. It’s okay to be a germaphobe! Carry around a pump bottle of Purell to use before and after you touch things that many people have also touched. For example, there are door handles, elevator buttons, faucets in the bathroom, and serving spoons in the dining halls. Purell are great for on-the-go since they do come in all shapes and sizes. There are Purell bottles that snap onto zippers for bags to giant pump bottles for your dorm.
2. Wash your hands as often as possible. While Purell is handy when there isn’t a bathroom nearby, washing your hands with soap and water is still the best way to clean your hands. Follow the “A, B, C”s all the way to “Z” and perhaps throw in the extra 1-10 count to be on the safe side. Just simply putting soap on your hands and running it in water is not effective enough to fight the flu season.
3. Don’t touch your face. This applies especially to rubbing or touching your eyes. Doing so will only make you sick sooner since they are sensitive external areas of your body where germs and bacteria can easily have access to your internal systems. This also includes any open wounds, even minor scrapes and cuts!
4. If you’re on a sports team that involves using the same equipment as a sick teammate, wash your hands and forearms after practice. Of course, never share any personal items and always shower directly after practice. Depending on the severity of the sickness, teammates should not risk the health and wellbeing of the team by exercising in a group setting while sick.
5. Get a unit of disinfectant wipes and wipe down your door handles or anything else that you frequently touch. Clorox wipes are great for quick desensitization and they are effective. Even during non-flu seasons, such areas should be kept clean on a bi-weekly to monthly basis. This will enforce good hygiene practices in everyday atmosphere.