Tips to staying healthy through seasonal colds

BY MICAELA SULLIVAN

Multimedia Journalist

As cold fronts begin to roll in and people start getting sick, it’s important to know how to prevent illness – and how to take care of yourself if you do catch something.

As temperatures drop, people tend to be indoors more, causing viruses to spread; specifically, the flu, as flu season tends to peak in the fall and winter according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Madison Lee, a sophomore at Tarleton, to gets sick often, especially during the fall and winter seasons.

“I don’t prevent myself from getting sick at all,” Lee said. “I’m actually pretty bad at taking care of myself. However, if I start feeling bad or feel like I’m getting sick, I do tend to take DayQuil and NyQuil and have some cough drops. I recommend staying hydrated, making sure you get all the proteins you need and taking your vitamins. Actually take care of yourself, unlike me, who has a very bad immune system.”

While many students may know how to prevent getting sick, some students may not. Here are some easy, basic steps to prevent catching a cold or the flu.

The basics of keeping bugs, colds and viruses away include washing your hands and staying away from people who are sick. Viruses tend to spread from surface to surface as people touch things like handles and doorknobs. It may be useful to always have sanitizer on your person during this season.

The most common virus this time of year is the flu, with symptoms such as high fever, dry cough, scratchy throat, runny nose, headache, chills, nausea and diarrhea. If you start to have any of these symptoms, it is recommended to immediately go to the doctor to get prescription medicine.

While there are plenty of ways to prevent sickness, it is inevitable that you will, in fact, eventually get sick.

The best way to take care of yourself while you’re sick is to make sure you or a friend goes to the doctor. A doctor can prescribe medications that can help you get better faster. However, if you prefer to not go to a doctor, getting over the counter medicine such as DayQuil/NyQuil and Tylenol for a fever can also help you feel better.

While medication can help you recover, it may still take some time for your body to heal. In the meantime, make sure to get plenty of rest, fuel your body with warm foods and soups and stay hydrated.

Freshman McKenzie Sebesta says she tends to get sick more in the fall because of the buildup on the leaves that are dropping. To get through it, Sebesta recommends “lots of sleep and tea to drink.”

So for this fall and winter season, especially for new students on a big campus for the first time, take the necessary precautions to make sure you do not get sick. The simple act of grabbing some DayQuil/NyQuil, Tylenol or a type of tea can make all the difference in your cold preventive measures.

This season, take care of yourself and the people around you so you’re ready to take on whatever comes your way. If you do find yourself feeling unwell or a bit under the weather, you can get a checkup at the Tarleton Wellness Center. If you are lacking vaccines, the Wellness Center offers vaccines such as DTAP, Bacterial Meningitis and the flu shot.