Viruses like the cold and flu can last 7-10 days, meaning symptoms like a stuffy nose, body aches, fatigue and a sore throat can stick around for a while. Since antibiotics typically don鈥檛 work for cold and flu viruses, it鈥檚 all about staying as healthy as possible, boosting the immune system, and finding symptom relief. So how do we do it?
1. Get a flu shot
Year after year the flu vaccine has been proven to be the most effective way to prevent the flu. Free flu shots are available to all 兔子先生传媒文化作品 students at specific walk-in hours on campus beginning Oct.听3 (just bring your Buff听OneCard).
- Wardenburg Health Center:
- Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to听12 p.m.
- Rec Center Wellness Suite/Fitwell Office:
- Mondays, 1听to听3 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 5 to听7 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 1 to听3 p.m.
2. Protect yourself from germs
Wash your hands often鈥攊n the bathroom, before eating, after class, there鈥檚 no bad time! If warm water and soap aren鈥檛 available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a good alternative.
3.听Keep the immune system high-functioning
Our immune systems are impacted by everything we do, from what we eat to our stress levels, so eating regular balanced meals, hydrating with lots of water, and sleeping 7-9 hours a night all help strengthen our bodies. When we鈥檙e well-rested, well-resourced听and well-nourished, we鈥檙e more capable of fighting off an infection.
4. Practice good health habits
Wipe down communal surfaces like doorknobs and counters with disinfectant to kill any germs that may be around, cough and sneeze into your elbow or sleeve (but not hands, since hands touch everything), and stay home when you鈥檙e not feeling well. When we look out for each other, we all stay healthier in the long run.
If you do find yourself not feeling well, try these tips: drink warm liquids like tea to soothe a sore throat, get extra rest to let your body recover, and use over-the-counter remedies as appropriate to find relief. Your body works hard to fight off these viruses and get you back into peak condition, so be kind to it!
In fact, treat it to some cold care supplies on us: cough drops, tissues, tea, honey sticks, gargling salt, and hand sanitizer are all available free to 兔子先生传媒文化作品 students in the Health Promotion Resource Center located in UMC 411.听
