Written By: Morgan Renninger
Staff Writer
Get out the masks and the Lysol, it is flu season. Schools in Rhea County were closed earlier this week due to the severity of the flu. As you may notice, college classes were not. Since germs don’t take sick days or care if you have a class, what can one do to keep from getting sick or to recover faster? The answer spans from home remedies to professional medical advice.
One of the most important things anyone can do is drink water. Your body is 50-60 percent water, so naturally, water helps your body function properly. Though college students love pizza and Delia’s, eat some vegetables.
Diet is incredibly important to maintaining one’s health and supporting your immune system. Good diet directly feeds into energy levels, immunity, mental focus, mood, weight, and so many other functions.
Nutritious foods contain vitamins, which is necessary for proper bodily function. Since many students do not eat the right foods and get enough vitamins, taking vitamin supplements would be beneficial. Vitamins are inexpensive and can be found Wal-Mart as chewable tablets, pills, and gummies. Taking probiotics can also help get rid of the cold and flu as they strengthen your immune system to fight disease, get rid of bad bacteria, and help good bacteria thrive.
Wash your hands.
Though this seems like common sense, many people forget to do it or don’t do it properly. Hands should be lathered with soap, covering every part of the hand, and rinse thoroughly with hot water for two minutes. Closely related is the idea of drying your hands. Germs stick to wet surfaces much faster and in more quantities. Keeping hand sanitizer with you is a good idea, though it does not replace washing your hands.
If you know you are sick, take a sick day. Some students would rather go to class with their leg falling off than miss a class. Get sleep. One of the most important things you can do is rest your body, and let it heal. The more active person is when they are sick, the worse they will get and the longer it will take them to get better.
Be prepared.
Most college students can’t afford to go to the doctor and many don’t have transportation. One of the most doctor recommended brands of medicine is Sudafed PE. Most doctors, unless they want your money, will tell you that the best medicine for a cold is Sudafed PE. It is the strongest acting over the counter medicine you can find and it works just as well as prescription cold medicine.
Drinking hot tea, like green tea or lemongrass tea, help kill bacteria and soothe the throat. Taking a hot shower or leaning over a pot of steam will help open up the sinuses. Vick’s vapo rub is another great option to open up sinuses and relieve congestion. Though not as pleasant, using saline solution can also clean out your sinuses. All you need is hot water and salt and mix it together. Be sure to let it cool before using. Gurgling salt water can help clean any wounds in the throat and clear out mucus.
Bugs and viruses are spreading like fire in the fall.
By following these guidelines and using these suggestions, one can better fight against these nasty germs. Much of this is just using common sense and taking precautions. Even so, this doctor approved list will help your body stay healthy and keep the germs at bay!
Bio
Morgan is a Creative Writing major at Bryan College. She loves to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of the imagination. Morgan writes articles for the Triangle, covering a wide variety of subject matter. She plans to get more involved on campus and to travel the world.
