Season of Sickness

“Aaaachoo!”

I am sure that everyone has heard this noise many times in the last couple of weeks. Everywhere you go in the school you see students blowing their nose or coughing into their sleeves. The cold and flu germs are spreading throughout the school like wild fire.

Though it is just the regular, seasonal sicknesses right now, much more threatening viruses are on the horizon. The University of Kansas had 284 students who have been infected with H1N1, or swine flu, in early September. This is not far from us at all. In fact, Lawrence is exactly 26.68 miles from Ottawa.

So, how can you keep this dreadful sickness away? First, start out by washing your hands frequently. Make sure you clean them thoroughly with soap and warm water. It is also a good idea to carry a little bottle of Germ-X with you. If you absolutely have to sneeze or cough, do so into your arm because your hands touch many surfaces each day.

The cold, flu and swine flu are very similar. However, there are differences in each that will help you diagnose your sickness. The cold comes gradually with a sore throat and cough, while the flu is more sudden with severe symptoms. It can last several weeks. Swine flu is similar to the regular flu, but it comes along with even more intense and threatening symptoms. If you follow tips to stay healthy, you will have a better chance of not coming down ill this fall.

How do you know you have the H1N1 virus? Common symptoms are:

• A sudden fever and cough
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Chills
• Aching muscles
• Sore throat
• Limb or joint pains
• Diarrhea or an upset stomach
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Loss of appetite